The council agreed in January 2015 to implement a network of 20 mph speed limits to reduce traffic speeds across the city, and at next week’s Transport Committee meeting they will explain the process by which they will do this.

The council propose to introduce one Speed Limit Order to implement the new network rather than a piecemeal process on a street by street basis. It is still going to be a lengthy procedure and the earliest estimate is that the new limits will be brought into force this time next year.  The council will have to put up notices on every street to be affected, there will be press advertising presumably in the Edinburgh Evening News and the council will have full details on their website.

Not all streets will become 20mph zones and it is important to note that the arterial routes in and out of the city will remain at either 30mph or 40mph as before. There is an interactive map below.

There was a public consultation carried out last year but Edinburgh residents will have another chance to have their say during the statutory process to introduce a Speed Limit Order.

The Edinburgh Reporter spoke to Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds about how the scheme will be introduced:

A pilot project in South Edinburgh was deemed very successful by the council and did result in reduced speeds through the area.

It is hoped that all the changes can be introduced by signage rather than speed bumps or chicanes which would be more expensive to install. The council says it has already cut £300,000 off the design cost by removing some side streets, such as short cul-de-sacs off 30mph roads, from the network.

The only way that the whole city could be covered by a blanket default 20mph speed limit would be to have legislation introduced at Holyrood, and this would also take much longer to achieve. Edinburgh is the first city in Scotland to introduce the 20mph network and the Scottish Government will be asked to contribute to the costs of its introduction as it will provide useful information for any future schemes. Sustrans the charity which supports travel by foot, bike and public transport is also likely to contribute to the costs which are expected to be around £500,000 each year for the next three years. Half of the cost is expected to be paid for by Holyrood who have previously shown support for the move.

The council is mindful that the speed limits will have to be monitored and enforced by Police Scotland and say that “Police Scotland recognise speed management is an important element and will continue to enforce 20,30 and 40mph speed limits across the city road network”. The Transport Convener confirmed that the enforcement of all speed limits is included in the Service Level Agreement which the council had entered into with Police Scotland.  But there is an admission that the changes will mean a complete change in driving culture across the city and that this is more difficult to introduce.

The council recommended the speed reduction on some streets to make them safer for all road users including car drivers,  pedestrians and cyclists. It is hoped that by making traffic slow down in certain areas there will be a reduction in numbers and severity of any road casualties on these streets.

The proposal is to introduce the scheme in phases over three years, and the first area to be affected will be the City Centre and Rural West districts.

The Lord Provost the Rt Hon Donald Wilson has taken delivery of a new electric BMW car to replace the old one thus fulfilling a promise he made some time back to get a more eco-friendly car. He has no problem in getting this car charged of course as there is a charging point in the quadrangle at the City Chambers. (And he hasn’t sold the private number – we believe it just hasn’t been changed over yet!)

The council is to approve the installation of new electric charging points in the Marchmont and Sciennes area of the city where there is apparently more demand than anywhere else in Edinburgh.

This will be a pilot scheme and will help the council reduce emission of all the noxious gases associated with ordinary cars. The council know that there were 121 electric cars registered to owners in the city as at last September, but with an expectation that this number will rise, they feel it is time to look at how best they can introduce the charging points which will be necessary. Marchmont and Sciennes has a high proportion of two car households and it is apparently more common to replace the second car with an electric one. The council hope to make this easier for all residents and promote the use of low emission vehicles by installing on-street charging points for residents and visitors.

The Transport Committee will examine the details again in Summer 2015 when they hope to have details of locations, the costs involved, the parking charges for charging bays and a programme for rolling out the trial.

Transport Scotland will be involved in the project which will follow a local consultation, and it is hoped to introduce charging points at parking bays and city car club spaces in the second half of 2016. It will take until then to establish what the council should do and then put all the Traffic Regulation Orders in place.

The next phase would then introduce charging points for electric buses and taxis across the city.

If you have an electric car then here is already a network of public charging points available across the city on the map below:

The council already has an electric car which we spotted in the quad the other day.

The Edinburgh Reporter and North Edinburgh Community News along with Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse (TRIM)  are delighted to announce a new collaboration – North Edinburgh News Cooperative. 

The Cooperative will allow both organisations to work together to provide the North Edinburgh community with an up to date independent news outlet.

As well as continuing to provide news, at no cost to the tax payer, we will be offering FREE training for local people and organisations.

Speaking at the launch Phyllis Stephen, Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter said “I am really pleased that we will have more of a presence in North Edinburgh due to our collaboration with North Edinburgh Community News and TRIM. A lot of really good newsworthy things take place there, and we want to ensure that none of it is overlooked. I realise that the area is under stress from the effects of crime, food and energy poverty but I think that all of this needs focus and attention, and we want to help tell the stories to do just that.”

Thomas Brown, Editor at North Edinburgh Community News said “I was delighted when we sat down with Phyllis and discussed the Cooperative. 

“We have been providing community news in North Edinburgh for around two years and over this time we have been humbled by how well this has been received. 

“Our new partnership with The Edinburgh Reporter will strengthen our position and we are all looking forward to working with Phyllis and her team.”

Robert Pearson who is Chair of TRIM and the Muirhouse community shop manager said:

“I was absolutely delighted to be part of this new collaboration which only began a few weeks ago. I know that both The Edinburgh Reporter and North Edinburgh Community News are very reputable and supporters of all things community,

“I am happy to welcome them in to our community shop on 14 March 2015 with the first event when families in the area are urged to bring their mums in to get a family photo taken. It is all free!”

Haiti Street Art: an exhibition to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Come and buy to support the country five years on. 9-5pm Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) until 19th March 2015, Bon Papillon, 15 Howe Street.

Fountainbridge Library is 75! A library has stood on the Dundee Street site since 1897 – the first neighbourhood library was funded from the estate of philanthropist Thomas Nelson, but by the 1930s the building needed to be replaced. JAW Grant was appointed to be architect of the new library, with sculptor Charles D’Orville Pilkington Jackson commissioned to provide the carving to surmount the main doorway; Jackson’s original plans included ornate carvings of a fountain and a bridge, so he was understandably dismayed when he learned of a planned change of name to ‘Dundee Street Library’ – luckily the plan was dropped, and despite delays caused by the war, the new library was opened in 1940. To celebrate this anniversary, the library has arranged a week of events; today it’s an Anniversary Celebration Day, with coffee, cake and a chance to see the library in days gone by. Drop in and help the staff celebrate whilst adding your favourite memory to the birthday tree. 2pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. There will also be a Birthday Bookbug on Thursday 12th March, plus an exhibition of photos and memories of the last 75 years.

Painted Ladies: Renaissance Beauty and Cosmetic Practices. Farah Karim-Cooper (Head of Research, Globe Theatre, London) will explore the idea of beauty in early modern Europe and England, and examine some of the era’s ‘social media’ (texts, theatre and images) that created these ideals. She will also uncover some of the cosmetic recipes and beautifying practices of early modern women. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Bookbug Rhymetime: for young children and their parents and carers. 2pm today and every Wednesday, Piershill Library, Piershill Terrace.

Botanic Cottage Updates and Stories: an informal talk to find out more about the Botanic Cottage as it is re-built stone by stone. For ages 10+. 1-1.30pm, Blue Shed, Demonstration Garden, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free: no booking required.

Morningside Coffee Morning: 10-11.30am today and every Wednesday, Church Halls, Morningside Parish Church, Braid Road/Cluny Gardens. All welcome!

Benji the PlayTalkRead bus will be at Gate 55 today! Songs, stories and play sessions for young children and their parents and carers. 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, Gate 55, Sighthill Road. Free.

Flatland: Jean-Philippe Dordolo and Kadie Salmon. An exhibition of new work produced by the artists during their recent micro-residencies. Preview 5.30-8pm tonight, then 11am-5pm Thursday to Saturday (or by appointment), Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, 21 Hawthornvale.

Terry Alderton: All Crazy Now. Come and be part of the audience for a brand new Radio 4 show, due for broadcast this summer. Terry Alderton, multi-award-winning comedian and star of Eastenders, will perform stand-up, stories, characters and sketches, and the show will also feature the mercurial comedian Boothby Graffoe on nose flute and vibes. 8pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets are free and can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579.

Lunchtime Concert: Magee Secondary School – chamber choir and string orchestra. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Italian Film Festival: curated by Allan Hunter and Richard Mowe, the 22nd Festival continues today. ‘An exciting and diverse line-up of contemporary and classic Italian cinema, including hilarious comedies, insightful dramas, seat-edge thrillers and classics from award-winning directors’. All films are subtitled in English, Today: First Snowfall (15) ‘a tender tale of the shared humanity in two lost souls. A melancholy, sensitively-handled drama, graced by the luminous cinematography of Luca Bigazzi who captures the staggering beauty of the changing Alpine seasons’. 8.45pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked online via the website or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688.

Let Sunshine Into Your Heart: a University of Edinburgh Let’s talk about….understanding disease lecture. Exciting new research has shown that sunshine can lower blood pressure. Good news for those who suffer from high blood pressure associated with cardiovascular disease – but what about medical warnings regarding sun exposure? Speakers: Dr Richard Weller (MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh) and Dr Darren Shaw (Royal Vet School, University of Edinburgh &  The Roslin Institute). 4.45pm, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Little France Crescent, EH16 4TJ. Free and open to all; please book via eventbrite here.

Bookbug: for children aged 0-4 and their parents and carers. 10.15 or 11.15am today and every Wednesday, Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue. These sessions are very popular, please arrive early. There is also a session at 11.30am every Saturday.

One Health: intergenerational design strategies for engaging children with nature in cities. Professor Robin Moore and Dr Nilda Cosco (NC State University), international authorities on the design of children’s play and learning environments, will propose that a crisis of culture can only be addressed by engaging children with nature from birth, in the places they and their families use in everyday life. How this may be accomplished will be illustrated through the work of the Natural Learning Initiative and recent case studies. 6pm, Hunter Building Lecture Theatre, Edinburgh College of Art , Lauriston Place. This is a free public lecture: booking is required and may be made via eventbrite here. For more information contact the organiser, Professor Catharine Ward Thomson, via the eventbrite booking page.

Wiff Waff Wednesday: a monthly ping pong night for all ages with music, plus great food and drink available to purchase from the Drill Hall Arts Cafe. ‘Friendship first, competition second.’ 6-10pm, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Leith. Free admission.

Morningside Parish Church Baby and Toddler Group: for children up to about 3 years. A friendly and informal way for parents to meet and children to have fun with the large selection of toys. All welcome, no pre-registration needed – just turn up. 10-11.30am today and every Wednesday and Monday, Morningside Parish Church, Braid Road/Cluny Gardens. £1.50 donation per session.

Morningside Justice and Peace Group: Why is there a conspiracy to silence charities? Chief Executive, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations Martin Sime addresses this question, followed by a Q & A session. 10.30-11.30am, The Open Door, 420 Morningside Road. £1 per person. For more information contact Barbara Darcy on 0131 228 1807 or b.darcy20@gmail.com.

Poetry Association of Scotland: Mary Johnston & Nalini Paul Reading. A Doric poet, winner of the Callum MacDonald Memorial Award 2014 for her pamphlet The Angel and the Aipple, teams up with an Indian poet who has just had her illustrated poem Hrafn Floki purchased by the National Gallery of Modern Art. 7.30pm, The Saltire Society, 9 Fountain Close. Admission £5/£4 (free for members of the Association): no advance booking needed. For further information please contact Mario Relich: dmr.lit@fsmail.net.

LGBT: Just for Men. A relaxed social opportunity for men who want to meet other gay, bisexual or transgender men in one of Edinburgh’s newest LGBT-friendly bars. For over-18s only. 6.30-8.30pm, Woodland Creatures, 260-262 Leith Walk.

The Old Edinburgh Club: Professor Stana Nenadic – Artisans, Design Education and the Scottish Luxury Trades 1780-1914. 7pm, Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Admission £5 (members free). The Old Edinburgh Club was founded in 1908 with the aim of recording the vanishing evidence of Edinburgh’s history, its buildings and its past inhabitants from prehistoric times onwards.

Common Weal Edinburgh North & Leith: Poetry & Spoken Word Open Mic. A celebration of local spoken word hosted by local poet Jenny Lindsay (Rally & Broad): 5 minute open mic slots available for spoken word of any kind. To sign up for a spot email commonwealenl@gmail.com or note your interest on the event’s Facebook page. 7-9.30pm, Area C Coffee House, 239-241 Leith Walk.

Jammin at Voodoo: monthly jam session with some of Scotland’s leading musicians playing lounge grooves from many genres. Blues, soul, funk, ska, rock, reggae, jazz and country; musicians play by invitation to set a good standard. For over 18s only. 9-11pm, The Ballroom, The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street. Free admission.

Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company Presents The Merchant of Venice: it is the summer of 1939 and Britain is travelling headlong towards one of the most devastating and transformative periods of its history. Oblivious to the oncoming storm, the London elite sit smoking their cigars and enjoying the fruits of their inheritance. 7.30 today-Saturday 14th March (with 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 14th), Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place. Tickets cost £10/£8/£6 and can be purchased online here.

Great year for Edinburgh attractions

At the Usher Hall for Mother’s Day

Spring concert at Rosslyn Chapel

Film night

Photography at the Botanics

There was a staggering rise of 39% in visitors last year  to the National Galleries of Scotland according to the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) 2014 Annual Visitor Trend Report.

The figures show that as well as attending major events like the Commonwealth Games, The Ryder Cup and the Year of Homecoming, visitors were also discovering and exploring some of the great attractions to be found in capital.

Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland, said:

“2014 was an exceptional year for the National Galleries of Scotland. A strong programme of exhibitions led by GENERATION: 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland was extremely popular with both international and local visitors and a dedicated marketing campaign targeting visitors to the city worked exceptional well and enabled NGS to capitalise on the huge success of the Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and Homecoming. We are confident that we can continue this success in 2015 and look forward to welcoming even more visitors to all three Galleries across Edinburgh.” 

Other city attractions such as the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, which joins the Scottish National Gallery as one of Scotland’s Top 20 most visited attractions which attracted 19% more visitors than last year. Positive increases were also recorded through 2014 at St Giles’ Cathedral, The Scotch Whisky Experience and Our Dynamic Earth 

Regional Director, Manuela Calchini, said;

“Last year was an exceptional year for Scottish tourism, it was the year we welcomed the world. These figures show that as well as attending major events like the Commonwealth Games, The Ryder Cup and the Year of Homecoming, visitors were also discovering and exploring some of the great attractions to be found in Edinburgh”.

“In 2015, we will build on the energy and excitement of last year, using strengths, such as our city’s food and drink and quality visitor experiences, to take Scotland to the world and enhance our reputation as a must visit, must return destination.” 

More information on the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions can be found on www.asva.co.uk

***

Camerata Salzburg puts collaborating with the best musicians in the world at the heart of everything they do and here they team up with the incredible Nicola Benedetti on Sunday 15 March 2015 at 3pm.

They are said to be many things including ‘full of energy’, ‘uncompromisingly individual’, ‘daring and modern’. Their distinct musical style has formed over a period of six decades. Through their collaborations with the great musicians and leading soloists of our day, such as Sir Roger Norrington, András Schiff, Anne-Sophie Mutter and Mitsuko Ushida, they cover a wide variety of music from string quartets for a small chamber group to romantic symphonies and 20th century classical works for a large orchestra.

British conductor Ben Gurnen has worked with the orchestra to award-winning effect and conducts here where each work complements the next in a packed but perfectly balanced programme.

More details and tickets here.

***

The chamber choir of Heriot-Watt University has been performing for sixteen years. Join the choir as they perform in the amazing, quite unique, acoustic of Rosslyn Chapel, an intimate candle lit setting.

Out of the thousands of British folk songs this evening concert will visit the various corners of the country, the colours, stories and settings conveyed. Each song has been arranged with loving care, attention to the text and also the grouping and mix of the choir.

The concert will last for approximately 1 hour and there will be drinks served afterwards.

The doors will open at 7pm and the concert starts at 7.30pm. Ticket details here.

***

***

Get along to the Botanics to see the fabulous photography exhibition at the John Hope Gateway which opened earlier in the week. The photographs have to be seen to be believed. (we particularly like the one with the butterfly)

One of the entries is of the Alnwick Garden in Northumberland which was planned out by the Duchess of Northumberland, formerly Jane Richard who was brought up in Edinburgh.

International Garden Photographer of the Year is an outdoor photographic exhibition that reveals the diversity and beauty of our green planet. See a selection of the winning entries from the world’s leading garden photography competition by both amateur and professional photographers. Supported by Water Gems. 

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Hearts are just 12 points away from clinching the SPFL Championship title – and promotion back to the SPFL Premiership. Rangers 1-1 draw at home to Queen of the South on Tuesday evening – the Ibrox side’s second draw in three days – means Hearts need just four wins from their remaining ten games to secure promotion.

Hearts play Dumbarton at Tynecastle on Saturday followed by a trip to Raith Rovers next Tuesday. A tricky trip to Falkirk is due after that. Should Robbie Neilson’s free-scoring side win all three games, the scene would be set for a title-winning game at home to Queen of the South on 28th March. Victory then would seal the league and return Hearts to the top flight of Scottish football after a year’s absence.

With some bookmakers offering odds of 1/500 for Hearts to win the Championship it certainly seems a matter of when – not if – the title will be heading to Gorgie.

Police  are appealing for information to trace a man in connection with a serious assault in North Bridge which occured last month.

The incident happened around 2.40am on Friday 6 February when a 23 year old man was on North Bridge by the RBS cash machines whilst making his way home from a night out. The man was approached by the suspect and two other men and was subjected to a serious assault. He was conveyed to Royal Infirmary Edinburgh to be treated for his injuries.

Police are now appealing for any witnesses to this assault to come forward to police.

Detective Constable Alison Wyllie said: “The main suspect responsible is described as white, late teens, early 20s and possibly called “Jordan”, furthermore he has a very distinctive tattoo of stars on the left side of his neck.

Anyone with information who can identify the male from the description or has information regarding this crime is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101″

Councillor Steve Cardownie has tonight given up his position as Group Leader and Deputy Council Leader at the SNP Group AGM, when he did not seek reelection.

Cardownie is staying on as representative for the Forth Ward, but he admits that the old saying ‘I want to spend more time with my family’ really does apply to him. He wants to be able to spend more time with his 10 year-old son, and hopes that by taking a backbench role he will be able to do just that.

But the councillor also told The Edinburgh Reporter tonight: ” I will of course be seeking some employment elsewhere, but I felt it was time to hand over to someone else. I have had a good kick of the ba’! ”

Councillor Sandy Howat will take over as Group Leader. Councillor Howat represents Meadows and Morningside Ward.

Council Leader Andrew Burns said: “At a personal level, I’ve really enjoyed working with Steve, and will be sorry to see him return to the SNP backbenches. Politics is though a pretty rough trade, and internal change does sometimes happen.

“Most crucially, despite any changes at an individual level, the local Labour/SNP Coalition will continue; as we collectively understand the importance of continuity and stability for Scotland’s Capital City.

“And I do now look forward to working with Sandy, who I’ve known well since 1996/7, and both of our Groups continue to have every intention of ensuring this unique Coalition remains in place right through to May 2017. Our Coalition-agreement remains completely unchanged, and our focus remains on doing what is best for Edinburgh.”

Councillor Richard Lewis will take over as Festivals Champion which involves being at all the launch events of the festivals that the council supports, as well as ensuring that the council face is put on all the cultural events that take place across the city from the fireworks to Edinburgh’s Christmas.

The SNP Group hold their AGM in March but other groups hold theirs later in the year in May.

A  21 year-old man appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today  in connection with an armed robbery at a Portobello betting shop when a  four-figure sum of cash was stolen during the incident at the Ladbrokes store on Monday 2nd March.

Enquiries in relation to this robbery led to the subsequent arrest of a man and woman in connection with an attempted robbery in Liberton Gardens and a housebreaking and vehicle theft in Craigcrook Road.

Both offences took place on Monday 9th March and the pair aged 20 and 21 are due in court tomorrow.

In addition, a 25-year-old man has been charged following a robbery in Magdalene Gardens on Sunday 8th March. The male has also been charged with a firearms offence following a disturbance in Lochend Drive the same evening.

Detective Inspector Alan O’Brien said: “As a result of vital intelligence from the public, alongside extensive investigation from police in Edinburgh a number of individuals are now in custody in connection with various incidents, which took place in the Capital over the past week.

“We are continuing with our enquiries to identify others believed to be involved in the Portobello robbery and would again request that anyone with information that can assist with this investigation comes forward.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling violent crime and offences where weapons are used. Whenever we receive reports of this nature we will conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”

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

All of us are enjoying the fact that Edinburgh is at the heart of the fashion world this week. The launch events in the marquee at The Mound included catwalk shows with clothes from city centre shops.

Now Element on Rose Street wants to get in on the act with some sophisticated cocktail recipes for you to try at home. (Responsibly of course….)

American Vogue

Our fashionista subscription of sweetness and spice, just how you like your sours served.

25ml JD Honey

25ml Bols Apricot

25ml Lemon

12.5ml spiced gomme

dash egg white

Spring Arrival – sweet, dry, fizz, refreshing

A simply delicious haven awaits you with this refreshing spring beverage.

25ml Beefeater

25ml Pama

12.5ml lemon

12.5ml Lime

12.5ml Grenadine

soda

Fashionista

Simply catwalk perfection!

Raspberry Puree

5ml Cointreau

100ml Prosecco

Element

Tucked away from Princes’ Street amongst the boutiques of Rose Street, Element brings a touch of class and glamour to the heart of Edinburgh.

110-114 Rose Street | Edinburgh | EH2 3JF

www.elementedinburgh.co.uk

Hibs’ striker Farid El Alagui returned to competitive action today, scoring for Hibs Development squad in their 2-2 draw against St Mirren at the Training Centre.

El Alagui has not featured since late August after rupturing his achilles against Alloa Athletic on their astroturf pitch.

This game was due to have been played at Spartans Ainslie Park however since that is also an artificial surface, the game was moved to East Mains to allow El Alagui to play on grass.

Jordan Sinclair gave Hibs the lead in the 29^th minute before El Alagui added a second six minutes later.

Robbie Mitchell pulled one back moments later then Thomas Reilly grabbed an equaliser in the last minute.

After the game, U20 Development Coach Joe McBride told the club website: “I was disappointed to see them concede in the last minute, but I was more disappointed with the performance for most of the game.

“We’ve set reasonable standards especially over the last few weeks and I don’t think we reached anywhere near that today. Losing a last minute goal is not great, but overall, just disappointed today.”

“Possibly not playing last week had an effect, but it is no excuse. It was a nice pitch, nice day and for once the wind had disappeared from here for once so it was great.

“We just have to admit that we never played well, there was no fluency today at all in the team.”

The Hibernian Development Team are in action next week away to Dundee United at Station Park, Forfar with a 2pm kick-off.

The Developlemt squad’s rearranged games against St Johnstone and Heart of Midlothian will be Friday 20 March at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium, kick-off at 2pm and the last mini-Derby of the Development League season will take place at New Victoria Park, Newtongrange, also with a scheduled 2pm kick-off, 9 April.

Hibernian under-20s: Kleton Perntreou, Aaron Dunsmore (Ben Stirling, 45), Callum Crane, Neil Martyniuk, Jordan McGregor, Aaron Scott, Scott Martin, Jordan Sinclair (Kevin Waugh, 63), Farid El Alagui (Oliver Shaw, 45), Taylor Hendry, Conner Duthie. Unused substitutes: Alan Combe.

Police investigating a firearms discharge in the north of the city have charged three men as part of wider disruption activity linked to the enquiry.

Officers responded to West Pilton March in the early hours of Tuesday 3rd March after shots were fired at the front door of a property.

Through information gathered from the local community, police identified three men aged 20, 23 and 25 in connection with a number of other crimes, including housebreaking, robbery and bail offences, which had occurred across the city.

The three have since appeared in court and are all remanded in custody.

Enquires are continuing into the firearms discharge and anyone who can assist police with their ongoing investigation is asked to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston said: “The local community in West Pilton have been extremely helpful during our enquiries into the firearms discharge and as a result of this investigation, three men have subsequently been charged.

“I would like to thank the public for all of their assistance so far and would again request that anyone who can help us trace those responsible for the firearms discharge to contact police immediately.

“In addition, anyone wishing to report any further criminal activity can also get in touch by contacting 101 or making an anonymous call to the charity Crimestoppers on 08000 555 111.”

Enter this competition on Social Bite’s Facebook page for a chance to win dinner with George Clooney. No it’s not April Fools’ Day this is a real opportunity.

Social Bite run a couple of cafes in the city on Rose Street and Shandwick Place. They simply invited the movie star to come and visit their shop, taste the food and meet the homeless people that they try to help. The thing is he said yes!

At Christmas time the social enterprise held a sit down lunch on Christmas Day for those who would otherwise have had nowhere to go. They asked the public to buy 800 dinners and by the time they counted up all the donations they had enough to feed 36,000 people.

Now you can spend £5 to have the chance to dine with a star. The food will be prepared by Social Bite who catered for the outgoing First Minister at a party in Bute House last November.

By Dagmara Lukowiec, Food and Health Development Worker at Edinburgh Community Food.

Nowadays the term food poverty is regularly used in the media, mostly in relation to food banks. As a result, we tend to assume that this term is reserved for people who are in need of food aid and that food poverty simply means that not enough food is available. However, this term has a much broader meaning. Food poverty is a major contributing factor to poor health and many of us are likely to be experiencing food poverty without even realising it.

So, what is food poverty?
Although there are many definitions of food poverty, all of them refer to the lack of a healthy diet.

To have a healthy diet means eating the right amount of food for energy needs as well as consuming a wide range of foods in order to obtain all the nutrients needed to maintain a good quality of life.

That is why it is recommended that we:

– eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, which are full of the vitamins and minerals needed for our bodies to function properly
– consume wholegrain starchy foods such as grains, breads, pasta and oats as part of every meal to get energy we need and fibre to maintain regular bowel function
– include some milk and dairy products to provide our bodies with calcium for strong bones and protein for growth
– have a moderate amount of meat, fish, eggs and alternatives needed for their protein, mineral and vitamin content

Not being able to access or afford all the ingredients needed for a nutritious diet means people are often forced to choose food for its quantity rather than quality. As a result, people eat fewer foods and more low-nutrient density convenience foods such as cheap meat products, chips, biscuits, cakes and sugary drinks. These foods are high in calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar but low in essential nutrients. This is effectively a poor diet which puts people at risk of overweight and obesity – particularly when their intake from food and drink exceeds the energy they use. People consuming an unhealthy diet are more likely to suffer from diet related diseases including: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, certain types of cancers and premature death.

So what are the reasons for food poverty?

The cost of food products is often the most obvious factor with regard to what people can buy. However, a lack of proper grocery shops in the neighborhood, or the availability of a range of healthy goods in local convenience shops are in fact very common reasons for people facing food poverty. There are also other aspects which affect the ability to obtain a healthy diet and good health even when nutritious foods are available.

Many of us have:
– a lack of knowledge of what constitutes a healthy diet
– a lack of skills and means necessary to prepare healthy meals
– a lack of interest in making healthy living a priority

Overcoming barriers to eating healthily

It is possible to overcome some of the problems mentioned above. However, it takes know-how.

Here are some useful tips:
1. As we have pointed out in previous articles, there is no need to choose expensive so-called ‘super foods’ to get a healthy diet.
2. Back to basics – the shops own ‘basics’ range products are generally the same as the standard ranges but with less fancy packaging.
3. Discount and frozen food shops offer great value on fruit and vegetables.
4. Frozen vegetables are generally cheaper, just as nutritious, and are often pre-chopped, saving money and time. They are perfect for soups and stews.
5. Some vegetables are always very cheap. It is good to ‘bulk out’ a meal with plenty of onions, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, turnips and frozen peas.
6. Meat can be the most expensive part of the grocery shopping. Beans and pulses are great and much cheaper alternatives to meat. Tinned beans can be added to stews, casseroles, soups, pasta dishes and curries. Lentils are best in soups and added to stews or salads.
7. Frugal tins – stocking up on tinned products such as vegetables and beans saves money and time. The best are those without added salt and sugar but if they are not available rinsing them will help.
8. Local food co-ops offer good quality fresh produce that can be bought in loose weight and is often cheaper than in the supermarket.
9. Edinburgh Community Food (ECF) sells fruit, vegetables, milk, bread, eggs, jam and packets of nuts and orders can be delivered or picked up from us.

Please contact us at admin@edinburghcommunityfood.org.uk if you are interested in finding out more.
10. Cooking from scratch is generally cheaper and much healthier than eating ready meals. ECF runs cooking classes regularly and is a great source for healthy and easy to follow recipes!

Submitted by Dagmara Lukowiec, Food and Health Development Worker

Police are appealing for information to help trace a man reported missing since yesterday.

Ian Nelson, also known as Ian Copeland (38) was last seen around 1.30pm in the Western General Hospital where he was receiving treatment.

Staff are concerned that he has missed the dose of the medicine he needs and his health could be affected.

Ian is described as a white male, 5ft 10, slim build with short ginger hair and a fair complexion.

He is believed to be wearing a grey top and dark trousers.

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

Inspector Allan Symington said: “We are concerned for Ian’s health and welfare and are keen to speak to anyone who can help us trace him. Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101.”

Opening on Saturday 14 March there is a new exhibition on Belford Road.

The work of a diverse range of internationally-renowned contemporary and modern artists is to be showcased throughout 2015 in REFLECTIONS, a dynamic new series of displays at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

Major works from the Gallery’s permanent collection will be shown alongside important loans to highlight the many ways in which artists engage with, and reflect upon, the world around them, raising questions about society, the human form, materials, image-making and art itself. 

REFLECTIONS includes recent work by British artists such as Cathy Wilkes and Martin Creed, the Americans Louise Lawler and Taryn Simon, and Mexican artists Gabriel Orozco and Abraham Cruzvillegas. The exhibition’s title was suggested by a number of large-scale prints by American Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, which feature in a new ARTIST ROOMS exhibition, as part of the programme

At the heart of REFLECTIONS will be a selection of almost 50 drawings, prints and photographs of the human head, drawn from the National Galleries of Scotland’s historic, modern and contemporary collections. This fascinating display shows the incredible variety of approaches that artists have used in reflecting upon our sense of being in the world, and how we reflect ourselves to other people. Among the highlights will be two outstanding works by Pablo Picasso, including a recently-acquired cubist drawing, Head (1912).

The display also includes works from many different periods and styles to explore how ideas around the head have changed. It includes, for example, traditional portraits, such as Lorenzo Lotto’s 480 year-old Portrait of a Bearded Man and Edvard Munch’s Self-Portrait 1895, as well as more experimental treatments by Karl-Schmidt-Rottluf (St Francis, 1919); Francis Picabia (Subtlety, 1928); Eduardo Paolozzi (Head, 1946); Andy Warhol (Jacqueline Kennedy II, 1965); and Douglas Gordon (Monster, 1996/1997).

Other highlights of REFLECTIONS include a newly-acquired work by the acclaimed American photographer, Taryn Simon, A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters (2008-11). Produced over a four-year period, these photographic prints were made after Simon (b.1975) travelled the world researching and recording family lineages and their related stories. Each chapter contains a sequence of portraits and a central text panel containing narratives and footnote images. Absences, as a result of factors including imprisonment and military service, are included as ‘empty portraits’ to powerful effect. The work on show here, Chapter VIII, one of 18 chapters in the larger project, maps the devastating effects of foetal Thalidomide absorption through generations of one Scottish bloodline.

Martin Creed (b.1968) will be unveiling a newly-commissioned wall drawing made in response to Modular Structures (Sequential Permutations on the Number Five) 1972, a ‘structure’ work by the American minimalist artist Sol LeWitt (1928-2007). Employing a patchwork of over 170 different colours, this bright and expansive new wall painting will be shown alongside a series of Creed’s drawings and a recent work on canvas.

REFLECTIONS also marks the first time the work of influential American artist Louise Lawler will be shown in Scotland. Lawler is primarily known for using photography but her practice encompasses a range of media. The works on display at Modern One are part of a series of ‘tracings’ Lawler first made in 2013. For these, she selected a number of her own photographs and collaborated with a children’s illustrator to transform her compositions into line drawings, like those found in colouring books. Printed onto vinyl then pasted onto the gallery wall, the resulting images show the work of other artists, captured in a range of locations, from collectors’ homes to museum stores. Focusing on how objects have been arranged, and with domestic furniture, crates and trolleys given as much emphasis as the artworks themselves, these works explore how the specific context affects how we see and experience an artwork.

Also on display is a room devoted to work by two Mexican artists, Gabriel Orozco (b. 1962) and Abraham Cruzvillegas (b.1968). The Pinched series by Orozco features three beautiful abstract sculptures cast in highly reflective aluminium, which are scaled-up versions of shapes created by the artist pinching together a small piece of wax between his thumb and forefinger. Accompanying these works is a sculpture by Abraham Cruzvillegas entitled El Travieso (An Emotional Craft) 2012. Composed from a diverse range of materials primarily sourced by the artist in Mexico City and California, the work draws on the culture, music and dress of the Parisian Zazou, Californian Zoot Suiters and Mexican Pachuco movements.

The display will also feature We Are Pro Choice (2007), an important installation by the Glasgow-based artist Cathy Wilkes (b.1966), as well as video works by the French artist Aurélien Froment.

In Fourdrinier Machine Interlude (2010) – one of two featured videos by Dublin-based Froment – focus is turned to the intricate inner workings of the industrial paper machine. The camera follows back and forth the paper stock from the small tank, through the rotating grid of the machine in action, to the presses and dryers until it becomes a roll of paper. Overlaid is the voice of a child reading a text that takes the viewer back to the invention of paper making, through the shift from craft to industry, and ending with the invention of large-scale mass production.

Rooms will change over the course of the year, and details of upcoming rehangs will be advertised through our website and social media channels.

Simon Groom, Director of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, said: “REFLECTIONS promises to be an extremely popular series of displays covering a wide range of subjects and styles, offering a really good insight into the diverse ways in which artists from around the world reflect upon and construct images of the real.”

REFLECTIONS: A SERIES OF

CHANGING DISPLAYS OF CONTEMPORARY ART

14 March 2015 − 10 January 2016

SCOTTISH NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART (Modern One)

75 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DR

Admission FREE | 0131 624 6200

#NGSReflections

Police have named the man found dead in a house in Fauldhouse West Lothian yesterday as Lloyd Williams, and issued a photograph via the family.

The death is still being treated as unexplained

A police spokeswoman said:  “The family of Lloyd Williams has today issued a photograph of Lloyd through Police Scotland.

“Lloyd Williams (47) was found dead yesterday morning (Monday, March 9) at an address in Main Street, Fauldhouse.

“Lloyd’s family has now asked to be left to grieve in private.  A police cordon is still in place around the address and will remain there for the rest of today.

“The death is still being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing at this time.”

Hibs have launched the club’s 2015/16 Season Ticket campaign complete with a promotional video which has already proved to be popular with the fans.

The campaign, titled ‘We are Hibernian FC’, centres around a promotional video filmed at Easter Road Stadium and the Hibernian Training Centre which allows fans to see the Club from angles never seen before.

The video, featuring stunning drone footage, and a more traditional brochure are hosted on a campaign microsite – www.wearehibernianfc.co.uk.

The campaign attempts to capture the energy and efforts being put in on and off the field to rebuild the club.

The promotional video contains music from local band and Hibernian supporters, The Dark Jokes, who agreed their single, ‘Holding On’, could be the inspiring soundtrack to accompany the footage.

After conducting a full review of the Season Ticket pricing structure, Hibs have committed to reduce prices by an average of 5%. The only ticket category that has not seen a reduction have been the child tickets in the Famous Five Lower, which still remain at £25.

An early bird promotion is also available with supporters being able to benefit from discounted prices and an 11-month interest free payment plan.

Leeann Dempster, Chief Executive, said: “I’m pleased to announce that for the 2015/16 season we have decided to reduce prices by an average of 5% across the board.

“This allows us to maintain a competitive playing budget whilst delivering greater value to our season ticket holders.

“We are asking for an early commitment from supporters to allow us to prepare as early as possible for next season. We put a lot of work and attention into our player recruitment strategy, and having greater reliance on our expected season ticket figures will help us to identify suitable signings as soon as possible.”

Alan Stubbs, Head Coach, said: “We’re working hard to build a team that everyone can be proud of. The more fans that commit to next season, the more we can do to continue to develop our team and get ready for the 2015/16 campaign.”

Greig Mailer, Head of Marketing & Commercial Operations, said: “We wanted to create a campaign that our fans could connect with. To do this, we pulled together a small team of young, creative individuals, all based locally here in Leith alongside a number of our internal staff.

“It was really important that we tapped into the creative energy here in the community. We let them loose on the project and hope the fans enjoy both what we published today and what will follow in the coming weeks.”

International Women’s Day at Craigmillar Community Arts: exhibition and talk about women’s role in medicine from Emma Black of the Surgeons’ Hall, display showcasing the wide range of talent among CCA Women’s Group, art workshops, mini facials and manicures and a healthy lunch. 10.30am-2pm, Craigmillar Community Arts, 58 Newcraighall Road. Free: all welcome.

Fountainbridge Library is 75! A library has stood on the Dundee Street site since 1897 – the first neighbourhood library was funded from the estate of philanthropist Thomas Nelson, but by the 1930s the building needed to be replaced. JAW Grant was appointed to be architect of the new library, with sculptor Charles D’Orville Pilkington Jackson commissioned to provide the carving to surmount the main doorway; Jackson’s original plans included ornate carvings of a fountain and a bridge, so he was understandably dismayed when he learned of a planned change of name to ‘Dundee Street Library’ – luckily the plan was dropped, and despite delays caused by the war, the new library was opened in 1940. To celebrate this anniversary, the library has arranged a week of events; today it’s an After School Children’s Storytelling with Children’s Librarian Simon Radcliffe – and there will be cake! Children can bring along their grown-ups too. 3.30pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. There will also be an Anniversary Celebration Day on Wednesday 11th and a Birthday Bookbug on Thursday 12th March, plus an exhibition of photos and memories of the last 75 years.

Tiny Tales: A Wiggle and a Jiggle and a Woo Hoo Hoo! Do you ever just want to dance around, swing in the trees, crouch down low and shout Woo Hoo Hoo? An action-packed session with Maria Menzies, full of wonderfully wiggly songs and stories. 10am or 11.30am (40 minute sessions), Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £5 per child and can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579. Please remember to book a free adult ticket for yourself too.

Lunchtime Concert: Mendelssohn in England and Scotland. Roberto Prosseda (piano) will play Four Songs Without Words, Trois Fantaisies ou Caprices op.16, Variations Serieuses op.54 and Fantaisie op. 28 ‘Scottish Sonata’. 1.10pm, Reid Concert Hall, University of Edinburgh, Bristo Square. Free: no booking required. Supported by the Italian Cultural Institute in Edinburgh.

The Speakeasy…with guest host Fiona Herbert. Stand-up, songs and stories, with a dash of the unexpected. Uncover true stories from the haunting to the hilarious live on stage, giving some insights into different worlds. This month’s line up: Dave Hook (aka Solareye from Stanley Odd), comedian Bruce Devlin, award-winning actor, performer and presenter Juliette Burton, comedian Phil O’Shea, writer and musician Paul Docherty, writer Angela Hughes, and a performance by Adam Tomkins of his monologue from I Have Been Looking For You My Whole Life. For ages 16+. 8pm, Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets cost £7 and can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 556 9579. Advance booking is advised.

Italian Film Festival: curated by Allan Hunter and Richard Mowe, the 22nd Festival continues today. ‘An exciting and diverse line-up of contemporary and classic Italian cinema, including hilarious comedies, insightful dramas, seat-edge thrillers and classics from award-winning directors’. All films are subtitled in English, Today: The Mafia Kills Only in Summer (15) ‘an inspired coming-of-age comedy that pays heartwarming tribute to all of those who have fallen in the long struggle against the Mafia’. 6.10pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked online via the website or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688.

Benji the PlayTalkRead bus will be at Muirhouse Library today! Songs, stories and play sessions for young children and their parents and carers. 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, Muirhouse Library, Pennywell Court. Free.

The Holiness of Beauty: George Frederick Bodley and the Aesthetic Movement. This seminar in the Edinburgh College of Art Architectural History/Theory series will be led by Bodley specialist Dr Michael Hall. 5.15-6.30pm, Common Room, Minto House, 20-22 Chambers Street. Free and open to all.

Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company Presents The Merchant of Venice: it is the summer of 1939 and Britain is travelling headlong towards one of the most devastating and transformative periods of its history. Oblivious to the oncoming storm, the London elite sit smoking their cigars and enjoying the fruits of their inheritance. 7.30pm today-Saturday 14th March (with 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 14th), Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place. Tickets cost £10/£8/£6 and can be purchased online here.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Jenni Daiches: Forgive (Luath Press). Jenni Daiches’ latest novel is about Ruth and those who come to lodge with her at Netherburn, her home in the remote moors of Scotland, as they all try to live their lives and move on – but the question that always looms for Ruth is, what does it mean to forgive? Jenni Daiches was born in Chicago but has lived in Scotland since 1971. Having worked for some years for the National Museums of Scotland, she is now a freelance writer and lecturer, with special interests in Scottish literature, Scottish emigration, and questions of identity. 6.30-7.45pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets are available from the shop’s front desk, or by calling 0131 622 8218 or emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk. Tickets can also be obtained from eventbrite here.

Sequamur: a multi-media Gaelic language play by DS Murray, reflecting on the life of Lewis educationalist William Gibson. The play is based on factual material and integrates a new music and soundscape commission with experimental film projections evoking First World War battle scenes and the reflections of the soldiers as their stories are brought back to Gibson, the teacher who inspired them to leave the classroom and go to war in 1914. A localised World War One commemorative roll of honour with the names of the fallen soldiers from each region the play visits will be screened following the performance. Sequamur is performed in Gaelic with live simultaneous translation into English via headphones. For ages 12+. 1-2.40pm or 7-8.40pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £10/£7 and can be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 560 1581.

Memories of Sighthill Industrial Estate: the theme of this year’s Local History Week is food and drink, and the library is looking for old photos or memories of the three big food manufacturers who were based in the area – Milanda the bakers, Golden Wonder Crisps and Burton’s Biscuits. The library is planning a photographic display for the week, so if you have any photos or stories about working on the industrial estate, please phone them 0131 529 5566 or email sighthill.library@edinburgh.gov.uk – and come along to the library’s special reminiscence day today, at which you can share your tales of the factories whilst enjoying some tea and biscuits. The library will also be posting snippets about the industrial estate on its Facebook page. 10.30am-4.30pm, Sighthill Library, Sighthill Road.

LGBT: Getting to Grips with Relationships. A four-week course exploring the barriers and unhelpful patterns of behaviour that may present in relationships, and discovering ways of overcoming these with a range of creative techniques designed to offer alternate ways of relating to the people in our lives. An ideal course for people with an interest in self-government who wish to make new discoveries in a group setting. 6.30-8.30pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Booking is essential: please contact Alison Wren on 0131 652 3283 or alison@lgbthealth.org.uk.

Pennywell New Housing Phase 2 Community Information Event: find out more about the new housing planned for Pennywell – timescales, outline design and plans. 4.30-7.30pm, Muirhouse Library, Pennywell Court. (Also at Craigroyston Community High School on Thursday 12th March 1.30-4.30pm).

Leith Folk Club: Christine Sparks with support Tomfoolery. 8pm (doors open 7.30pm), Victoria Park House Hotel, 221 Ferry Road. Tickets cost £7 and can be bought on the door or in advance via the ticket booking line: 07502 024852. ‘Bringing worldwide folk, traditional, blues, bluegrass, Scottish and Celtic music to a local audience.’

Flag flies for Commonwealth Day

Safe City

Special Deliveries for Mother’s Day

Culture and Sport Committee

Young Scot

Yesterday the Lord Provost in his role as Lord Lieutenant raised the Commonwealth Flag above the City Chambers.

You can watch it all here:

The Edinburgh Reporter NEWS from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

***

Edinburgh is one of the safest cities in the world, according to a new poll of UK holiday makers.

The Post Office Travel Insurance survey ranked the capital as the third safest destination across the globe, with almost 70% of people who took part rating it as safe.

The news has been announced not long after a major YouGov poll revealed that Edinburgh was seen as the safest in Britain.

Councillor Cammy Day, Community Safety Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, today welcomed the results

“To be rated so highly for safety in not one but two national surveys is a fantastic accolade for the city, and I’m delighted that people feel secure when they holiday here,” he said. “It’s not just visitors either – the most recent People’s Survey found that 91% of our residents feel safe here after dark.  I’m really proud of these results and the good work carried out daily by the Council, Police Scotland and communities across the city.

“Tourism is vitally important to Edinburgh with millions of people coming here from around the world each year to enjoy the culture and attractions it has to offer. As well as being renowned as a festivals city, we can also now claim to be classed as one of the safest cities in the world.”

***

A group of lucky mums will each get a surprise special delivery for Mother’s Day – as Scotland’s largest independent courier marks its 30^th year in business.

Eagle Couriers is encouraging grateful sons and daughters across the central belt of Scotland to nominate their cherished mums.

Then it will choose the most deserving 30 – one for each year the firm has been in business – and ensure they get an unexpected special delivery for Mothering  Sunday.

Twenty nine of the lucky mums will receive a surprise box of luxury Thorntons chocolates and a bouquet of flowers hand delivered from a driver in a signature Eagle Couriers red van on Friday 13^th March.

However, the most deserving nomination – as judged by a team at Eagle Couriers – will take delivery of a luxury Thorntons hamper, donated by the famous chocolatiers.

Fiona Deas, director at Eagle Couriers said: “It is fantastic to be able to give something back to the people of Scotland, especially in the central belt from where we have operated for 30 years.

“By tying in Mothers Day celebrations and using our base of couriers we hope to spread a lot of unexpected joy.

“We encourage as many people as possible to apply – if you want to see your mum smile and feel extra loved for Mother’s Day then please do get in touch and we’ll do our best to get this no-catch gesture of love to her.”

To be in with a chance of winning, applicants should follow the single step instruction on the latest Eagle Courier blog post, with the competition being free to enter.

Enter at http://goo.gl/4ClS6J

***

The Culture and Sport Committee meet today and they may decide to approve funding for under used outdoor sports facilities in South Queensferry, Sighthill and Trinity.

You can watch the committee meeting online here.

***

Young Scot, the national youth information and citizenship charity for Scotland, has announced the completion of its five year Truth About Youth programme after the project helped challenge negative perceptions of young people in Scotland.

The Truth About Youth project, run by Young Scot in partnership with the Co-operative Foundation, has been challenging and changing the way society views young people since 2010. The project has worked to improve public perceptions of young Scots by engaging with local communities and working with the media to showcase positive stories of young people.

Highlights of the Truth About Youth project were showcased at a celebratory event at Glasgow’s Science Centre where 200 people heard success stories from young people involved in the programme. Among these highlights included the story of a youth development scheme run by Dalmarnock Futures Forum, the award winners of the inaugural Truth About Youth prize at the 2011 Young Scot Awards.

David Stewart, 22, Dalmarnock Futures Forum (DFF), said: “The Truth About Youth award was the catalyst for DFF getting involved with Young Scot and the programme. Since then, we have been involved in a range of different projects – from a small grants fund project to taking part in the Truth About Youth Pledge. The project has helped change my life and the lives of other young people involved.

“It’s great to see that young people are now seen as leaders in their communities who take forward sports programmes and issued–based workshops and we all want to see this continue and keep on growing.”

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From this Friday there will be an exhibition of retrospective of paintings by award winning Edinburgh artist Anna Somerville, including recent works painted at her studio in Summerhall.

Somerville’s bold style and dramatic compositions deliver immediate intrigue and draw you into painterly landscapes of colour and expression that are emotionally charged, visceral, whilst poignant and sentimental.

For further information see the website here.

Police are investigating the unexplained death of a man whose body was found in his house in Fauldhouse West Lothian this morning.

Detectives were called to a property on Main Street shortly after 3.40am and have cordoned off the area.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland can confirm the name of the man who was found dead at an address in Main Street, Fauldhouse, is Lloyd Williams (47).

“His family has asked to be left to grieve in private.

“The incident was reported to police today (Monday, March 9) at around 3.40am. A police cordon is still in place around the address, however the road has now reopened.

“The death is still being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing at this time.”

“A World of Fabulous Fares” awaits Qatar Airways’ passengers from 9 to 13 March 2015 as travellers can enjoy up to 40% savings on return airfares to a wide variety of destinations across the Middle East, Asia Pacific and South Africa when they travel between 1 April to 10 July 2015.

Qatar Airways fly from Edinburgh Airport to Doha and beyond meaning that the journey time from Edinburgh to Melbourne is around 20 hours.

Passengers can make their flight bookings either by visiting any Qatar Airways’ sales office, through appointed travel partners or via qatarairways.com/globalsale.

Richard Oliver, Country Manager, UK & Ireland, said: “With “A World of Fabulous Fares” sale, we will enable more travellers to experience Qatar Airways’ renowned in-flight hospitality and five-star service, while also taking advantage of our state-of-the-art gateway to the world – Hamad International Airport – for themselves. For loyal passengers of Qatar Airways, we take pride in offering them diverse destination choices for both leisure and business, and our global sale allows them to experience even more of the world for less.”

As one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, Qatar Airways has experienced rapid growth in just 18 years of operation. Today it flies a modern fleet of 150 aircraft to 146 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.

Photo from Edinburgh Airport launch in May 2014 Thomas Haywood

It is thought that 730 flags were raised this morning  by 53 Commonwealth countries. In Edinburgh, the flag-raising was also be an opportunity for the City of Edinburgh Council to celebrate the start of Legacy Week which runs till the end of the week.

At 10 o’clock this morning the Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh who is the Queen’s representative in the city raised the Commonwealth Flag above the City Chambers. The Rt Hon Donald Wilson who is also the Lord Provost was ably assisted by children from the Royal Mile Primary School.

He first of all read out the message from Her Majesty the Queen before processing outside with the children. Then after a photo call he went up on to the balcony above the archway into the quadrangle to raise the flag in the breeze. It was not the best of weather but the short ceremony drew a small crowd of onlookers.

Almost eight months since thousands of people took to the streets of Edinburgh to cheer on the Queen’s Baton Relay, Scotland is reflecting on the excitement and impact of the Commonwealth Games during Legacy Week (9-15 March).

For young and aspiring athletes, Edinburgh Leisure’s Kirkliston Leisure Centre will be offering an under-5’s coaching session on Wednesday (11 March). The session will include a mini Commonwealth Games. To register interest, contact the venue.

If those under-5’s keep at it, they might join one of the Capital’s athletics clubs one day. Coach Kevin Maguire will deliver a training session on the High Jump to athletes on Monday (9 March). Edinburgh received High Jump equipment from Glasgow 2014 which is available for those with an interest in athletics to try out. There are many clubs in Edinburgh for those that become serious about sport. Find out how you can join an Edinburgh-based club at ClubSport Edinburgh.

Three performance athletes will also be visiting Forrester’s Community Sports Hub on Friday (13 March). Maria Lyle, Robin Love and Sammy Kinghorn will take part in a paralympic experience with young people who have physical and sensory impairment. Parents and carers who wish to look into sport and physical activity opportunities for disabled children should speak with their school Head Teacher or Active Schools coordinator.

The Royal Commonwealth Pool became the first venue in Commonwealth Games history to host the competition for a third time when it was home to the 2014 diving events. This weekend, the Games legacy will be clear to see when the Edinburgh Leisure-managed venue will welcomes top medal-winning talent to splash into action. The Edinburgh International Long Course Swimming competition will see swimmers from various disciplines compete over three evenings (13, 14, 15 March).  Find out how to get tickets to these events at Scottish Swimming.

 Last year was the City of Edinburgh Council’s Year of Walking. Walking is an ideal activity for those getting back into fitness and to help residents get back on the right path, walking routes and pedometers are available to loan from Edinburgh’s libraries. Find out more about walking in Edinburgh and how to count your steps at the Council’s walking page.

When the Year of Walking comes to an end in April, the Council will welcome in a Year of Cycling.  For children who are just getting into cycling, Active Edinburgh is offering starter races for eight to 16 year olds at Ingliston during Legacy Week on Sunday (15 March). Find out more about getting fit and keeping active on the Council’s sport page.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the assault and robbery of a 24 year old man in Edinburgh’s New Town

The victim, a French national, had arrived in Edinburgh from France on Saturday evening and was walking from the City Centre to the New Town to find accommodation for his stay.

At around 8pm, as he approached the corner of Broughton Market and Dublin Street, he was grabbed from behind by two suspects who presented a knife and demanded he hand over money. They took his laptop, mobile phone and wallet and made off in the direction of Broughton Market.

The first suspect is described as white, late 30s, 5ft 9in tall, broad build, dark brown hair, clean-shaven, Scottish accent and wearing a zipped up hooded top.

The second suspect is described as white, late 30s, 5ft 9in tall, slim build, slight beard, and wearing a black cap or woolly hat, blue jeans and a black cotton coat with two diagonally angled pockets at the lower front of the jacket.

Detective Constable Iain Wallace said: “The victim had only just arrived in the city when he was assaulted and robbed, although thankfully he wasn’t injured. We are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Broughton Market or Dublin Street at around 8pm on Saturday evening to get in touch with police. We know that a car drove past at the time of the incident as it caused the two males to run off.”

Anyone with information that can assist is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault and robbery which happened in the Lochend area of Edinburgh, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The incident happened around 4am, when the 43 year old victim was walking on Lochend Road near to Burns Street. He was approached by a group of around six males, and without provocation was punched to the face by one of these youths.

When the victim fell to the ground he was assaulted by others in the group and his satchel was taken from him. The suspects then made off in a north direction on Lochend Road.

The first suspect, who initially punched the victim, is described as white, aged 17 to 18 years old, 5ft 2in tall, stocky build, short dark hair, and wearing a white coloured zip up track suit top and jeans.

The other suspects are described as white and aged between 17 and 18 years old.

Detective Constable Alison Wyllie said: “The victim was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries during an assault which was completely unprovoked. We are looking to trace this group of males who were in the Lochend Road area at around 4am on Sunday morning. Anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was seriously assaulted in the Cowgate in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The incident happened around 2.30am when a 33 year old man was walking on the Cowgate at the junction with Candlemaker Row. He was struck from behind and then assaulted by a group of between six to twelve men. The victim received a fractured arm and facial injuries and was conveyed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to be treated.

A number of witnesses have identified this group of men as being in their late 20’s, most of whom were wearing tweed jackets or suits, shirts, ties and brogues. They then headed up Victoria Street, where they were lost to sight.

Detective Sergeant Neil Spowart said: “This appears to have been an unprovoked assault which left the victim needing hospital treatment. We are appealing for anyone who was in the area of the Cowgate around 2.30am on Sunday morning, and who saw this altercation take place. The group of suspects have been described as wearing distinctive tweed jackets, and so we hope this description will assist in jogging people’s memories, particularly if they have information on which pub or bar they were in beforehand.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Hibs’ longest serving player Lewis Stevenson admits he was dreading the start of this season after last year’s relegation nightmare, but things are looking up for the Easter Road side who currently sit in second place in the Championship with a cup semi-final against Falkirk to look forward to.

Stevenson, who has been at Hibs for ten years is no stranger to the National Stadium, both as a winner in the CIS Cup Final in 2007 as well as recent semi-finals against Aberdeen and Falkirk, but also on the losing side against Hearts, Celtic and Dunfermline.

Yesterday the ‘veteran’ left back was rightly named man of the match after scoring one goal and making two in the quarter final against Berwick Rangers.

Speaking afterwards, the modest Fifer said: “We got so low last season and I almost came into this one worried and dreading it, but the manager has lifted the place and I’ve probably enjoyed this season more than any other.”

“It is crazy that a club such as Hibs has not won it for so long, but I would love to be part of the team that actually does win it. It would be nice not to hear about it at the start of the first round every time we play in the Scottish Cup.

“The gaffer is still making us focus on the league, but the further you get in the cup, it is hard to take your mind off it. It is a horrible feeling to lose a final when you have put so much effort in. I have played in two. In 2007, we also lost to Dunfermline in a semi-final replay and that was a hard one to take. After winning the League Cup, I think we were expected to put up a fight in the Scottish.

“I would love to be part of a successful team here. It is one of the biggest clubs in Scotland and should be in the top league, fighting for cups every season.

“I think on our day we can match any team – even the Premiership ones still in the cup.”

photo by John Preece

Hibs’ Head Coach Alan Stubbs is convinced that the club’s Scottish Cup hoodoo will eventually come to an end and with a game against fellow Championship side Falkirk in the semi-finals the fans are convinced that this could be the year.

Speaking after yesterday’s comfortable win over Berwick Rangers, a content Stubbs said: “Someone’s going to do it, whether it’s me, the next manager or the one after that but while we’re still in the competition you can keep bringing it up… but you never know, it might be me.

“Even though we weren’t on our A game I thought we were very professional. The goals in the first half settled us down and as long as we didn’t do anything silly or lose concentration, we always looked like we would score and add to our tally. Berwick deserve a lot of credit; they can hold their heads high. Coming here was always going to be a big ask for them.

“There is the romance of the cup and while they were still in it there was an opportunity to cause a shock, but we were determined that wasn’t going to be us today.

Stubbs won the cup as a Celtic player under Martin O’Neil was delighted with some of Hibs’ play and particularly the form of unsung hero Lewis Stevenson who helped create two goals and scored another.

He continued: “There was a quality about the first two goals, a real understanding of interchanging and quick one-touch play. Maybe the last person you’d have thought would have been on the end of the second one would have been Lewis Stevenson but that’s what he’s added to his game. He has a belief and is playing more in the middle to final third and chipping in with a few goals.

“He’s very much Mr Shy-Guy and you can see that from his celebrations as he doesn’t really know what to do with them. But you saw in the players’ reactions to the goal that he’s a very popular guy in the dressing-room.

“By reaching the semis the players have given themselves an opportunity and I honestly feel it’s one they’ll grab hold of,”

The Falkirk tie is a repeat of the famous 2013 semi-final which Hibs won after extra time after going in at half time 3-0 down. The game will be played on either Saturday 18^th April or Sunday 19^th April.

The other semi-final will be between either Celtic or Dundee United and Inverness Caledonian Thistle or Raith Rovers.

Time for Traditional Tunes: a new Live Music Now Scotland initiative for older people, including those with dementia. Audiences from care homes and community groups are invited to join Scots singers Robyn Stapleton (BBC Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year 2014) and Claire Hastings for a concert of traditional singing with a chance to join in, in the beautiful surroundings of the Great Hall. 2-3pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free: to book please call the Information Desk on 0131 624 6560. Supported by the Friends of NGS.

Benji the PlayTalkRead bus will be at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre today! Songs, stories and play sessions for young children and their parents and carers. 10am-1pm and 2-4pm, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, 19 West Pilton Grove. Free.

Visual Awareness Day at St Bride’s: if you or someone you know is living with sight loss, or you would just like to learn more, come and meet Guide Dog users Dennis and Pat and their extremely clever and life-changing dog Todd. Royal National Institute for the Blind representatives will be in attendance, offering basic eye tests and advice on how to look after your eyes, and there will be information available on other visual impairment services. 10am-2pm, St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry.

Italian Film Festival: curated by Allan Hunter and Richard Mowe, the 22nd Festival continues today. ‘An exciting and diverse line-up of contemporary and classic Italian cinema, including hilarious comedies, insightful dramas, seat-edge thrillers and classics from award-winning directors’. All films are subtitled in English, Today: Good for Nothing (15) ‘a jaunty, melancholic Roman comedy’. 6.10pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked online via the website or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688

Multifaith Public Conversation 2015: Radical Compassion and Violent Extremism. Edinburgh University Chaplaincy joins The Forgiveness Project for the Annual Multifaith Public Conversation. Yasmin Yar Mulbocus, Jo Berry and Bjorn Magnus Jacobsen Ihler discuss whether radical compassion can win the war on violent extremism. 5.30pm (doors open 5pm)-7pm, Chaplaincy Auditorium, University of Edinburgh, 1 Bristo Square. Free and open to all: please book via eventbrite here.

Cafe Histoire: La Vol de l’Aigle. Patrick Landri, Chief Librarian, Alliance Francaise de Glasgow, looks at the ‘Cent-Jours’ (1er mars-22 juin 1817) between Napoleon I’s return to France and victorious entry to Paris, and his defeat three months later. Please note this talk will be in French only. 5.30-7pm, Institut francais d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Admission £8 (members £5).

Morningside Parish Church Baby and Toddler Group: for children up to about 3 years. A friendly and informal way for parents to meet and children to have fun with the large selection of toys. All welcome, no pre-registration needed – just turn up. 10-11.30am today and every Monday and Wednesday, Morningside Parish Church, Braid Road/Cluny Gardens. £1.50 donation per session.

Fountainbridge Library is 75! A library has stood on the Dundee Street site since 1897 – the first neighbourhood library was funded from the estate of philanthropist Thomas Nelson, but by the 1930s the building needed to be replaced. JAW Grant was appointed to be architect of the new library, with sculptor Charles D’Orville Pilkington Jackson commissioned to provide the carving to surmount the main doorway; Jackson’s original plans included ornate carvings of a fountain and a bridge, so he was understandably dismayed when he learned of a planned change of name to ‘Dundee Street Library’ – luckily the plan was dropped, and despite delays caused by the war, the new library was opened in 1940. To celebrate this anniversary, the library has arranged a week of events, starting today with a Book Cafe – Annie Bell, Edinburgh Libraries’ Resident Book Expert, will be coming along to offer book recommendations, so drop in for a chat and a coffee. 2-4pm, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. There will also be a Children’s Storytelling on Tuesday 10th, an Anniversary Celebration Day on Wednesday 11th and a Birthday Bookbug on Thursday 12th March, plus an exhibition of photos and memories of the last 75 years.

Lunchtime Concert: Gulf Coast Masterworks Chorus, Texas, USA. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Skill Share Bike Puncture Repair Sessions: the Bike Station’s aim in running these sessions is to pass on the knowledge to help re-use and repair rather than replace. Puncture repair is a simple but almost lost skill; all materials will be provided and there are no age restrictions – families are encouraged to bring their children along to find out how easy this is! 2pm today and every day until 13th March 2015, The Bike Station, 250 Causewayside, Newington. No booking required, just come along. These free sessions are part of Pass It On Week 2015, which runs from 7th to 15th March.

Blind Poetics – March: Russell Jones. Russell is an Edinburgh-based writer who has published three poetry collections, with a fourth due out later this year. He is also the editor of Where Rockets Burn Through: Science Fiction Poetry from the UK and Interdisciplinary Science Reviews: Poetries and Sciences in the 21st Century. There will also be the usual open mic session: if you would like to book a 5 minute slot click here to find out how it works. 8-11pm, The Blind Poet, West Nicolson Street. Free admission.

International Women’s Day in Leith: an all day programme of events, including a Health Fair with a talk on alternative therapies, a book reading and signing by Annie Harrower-Gray, author of Harlots and Heroines, tai chi demonstrations, an art exhibition Remembering Her Story by Carol Watson , Highland, Irish, Egyptian and tap dancers, a photography exhibition The Diversity of Leith Women by Kathryn McNerney, information on adult education courses, a Community Council stall and lots more. 10.30am-4.30pm, South Leith Parish Church, Kirkgate. Tickets £5/£3 on the door, £4/£3 in advance (call 07837 596376).

Blackwell’s Children’s Book Group: if you are 8-11 years old with a love of books and biscuits, join this free group to enjoy a friendly hour of fiction – come and discover more books to treasure. Currently reading I,Coriander by Sally Gardner.  6-7pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. To join just email your details to childrens.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.

Living with Bees: the decline in honeybees has attracted much media attention, but around two-thirds of vital pollination in crops and wild plants is carried out by wild bee species and other insects. Discover the world of wild bees in an illustrated talk by Dr Bernard Vaissiere, who will explore the important role wild bees play in the lives of plants and people. The talk will be followed by a panel discussion with experts from the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Urban Pollinators Project (University of Edinburgh), City of Edinburgh Council and Buglife. For ages 14+. 11am-12.30pm, Lecture Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free but please book in advance via eventbrite here. This event has been programmed to coincide with the RBGE’s Urban Bees exhibition.

Sofi’s Cult Movie Nights: popular classics on the silver screen in the cosy, darkened back room. This week: Jurassic Park (PG) – shown in anticipation of the release of Jurassic World this summer. ‘Relive the thrills of 90s CGI!’ Free popcorn! 8pm, Sofi’s Bar, 65 Henderson Street.

New Town and Broughton Community Council: local residents are very welcome to attend. 7.30pm, Drummond Room, Broughton St Mary’s Church, Bellevue Crescent.

Pochemu?  A photographic exploration of the Ukrainian conflict by Monika Holkova. Edinburgh College BA in Professional Photography graduate Holkova spent a period of time documenting the conflict in Ukraine; based in Donetsk, she worked with NGOs photographing the impact of the conflict on the people of the region. (Pochemu? means ‘why?’). 9am-5.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9am-4.30pm Fridays, with an open private view 6.30-8.30pm on Friday 13th March, Creative Exchange, 29 Constitution Street. Ends 27th March 2015. Free admission.

Frances @ Sneaky Pete’s: British singer/songwriter Sophie Cooke aka Frances writes and co-produces her own music and is influenced by artists ranging from Aqualung, Sia and Coldplay to Alanis Morisette and Carole King. ‘Her unique ethereal tones and keen ear for an infectious melody, supported by her emotive piano playing and 3 piece band, make her one to watch for the future’. Over 18s only. 7pm, Sneaky Pete’s, 73 Cowgate. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked here (transaction fee applies).