Three male teenagers have been arrested and charged following an armed robbery at a city centre shop.
A three-figure sum of cash was stolen during the incident, which happened at the Canongate Store on Wednesday 12th November.
Two 17-year-olds are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and a 15-year-old has been reported to the Children’s Reporter.
If you are a woman aged 16+ and you are interested in football as a way of keeping fit then get along to the Royston Wardieburn Centre (indoors!) on Monday 8th or 15th December between 10 and 12pm. 
The Edinburgh Telephone Choir and special guests The St John’s School Children’s Choir perform an evening of carols (with sing-alongs!) to raise funds in aid of the Ebola Crisis. 7.30pm, St John’s RC Church, 35 Brighton Place, Portobello. Free entry: donations encouraged as you leave!
Kellan MacInnes: Caleb’s List. Kellan tells the story of how he discovered Victorian mountaineer Caleb George Cash’s long-forgotten list of the mountains visible from Arthur’s Seat, and explains what led him to take on the challenge of climbing them all. ‘More than a climbing book, Caleb’s List is the story of a survivor.’ 6.30-7.30pm, Morningside Library, 184-186 Morningside Road. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite or by calling the library on 0131 529 5654.
Edinburgh Greek Film Festival continues this week. Today 45m2 (2010) ‘a precisely observed and coherent portrait of Greece as it is now, from handbag shops to rotten boroughs’. 8.35pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked in person, by phone or online.
Blackamoores: Africans in Tudor England, their Presence, Status and Origins. This ground-breaking publication by Onyeka challenges the deep-held beliefs of what it is to be English. Onyeka has examined 250,000 documents during 10 years of research; this is the first time that a major historical publication has focused on the status and origins of Africans in Tudor England. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
LGBT Bi and Beyond: a fortnightly social gathering for people who identify as bisexual and non-monosexual. With organised social activities and refreshments provided, whatever your label or lack of label we welcome you. 7-9pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information email biandbeyondedinburgh@gmail.com.
Le Havre (2011): Marcel Marx (Andre Wilms), a former bohemian and struggling author, has given up his literary ambitions and relocated to the port city of Le Havre. He leads a simple life based around his wife Arletty (Kati Outinen), his favourite bar and his not too profitable profession as a shoeshiner. As Arletty suddenly becomes seriously ill, fate throws the young African refugee Idrissa (Blondin Miguel) into his path. Director Aki Kaurismaki’s masterpiece champions the downtrodden and celebrates the little things that make life worth living. ‘A glorious, colourful and deeply humane work.’ Shown in French with English subtitles. 1-2.30pm, Institut Francais Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Free.
Lounge Act feat. Katya Mansell, Claire Brierly and Joshua Brooke-Lawson: an all acoustic night. 8pm (doors open 7.30pm), Sofi’s Bar, 65 Henderson Street. Free entry.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Nikki Welch’s Pocket Guide to Wine: a perfect, concise guide for anyone who loves wine and wants to find out more, arranged in an easy-to-use format in which different types of wine are shown schematically on a map like the London underground. Nikki Welch spent 10 years selling and marketing wine and is now the owner of Convivium Wine. This event will include tastings of two wines. 6.30-8pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets can be collected from Blackwell’s front desk or reserved by calling 0131 622 8218 or emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.
Morningside Justice and Peace: Alexandra Smith, Reader in Russian Studies, University of Edinburgh, speaks on Russia Today, followed by questions and discussion. 10.30-11.30am, The Open Door, 420 Morningside Road. All welcome: £1 per person. For more information contact b.darcy20@gmail.com or call 0131 228 1807.
They are dancing in Leith
Dine at Holyrood tonight
Bruntsfield Christmas lights
Safety in stairwells
Your Happy Holidays message!
A book has been launched recounting the dancing memories of seven very special Leithers.
‘Dancing Days’ has been produced by the Citadel Arts Group and tells the stories of Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) Hermitage Court residents.
A launch event was held at the complex, with musician Laure Paterson entertaining the residents and Gina Martorelli, one of the contributors to the book, singing Ave Maria.
Suzie Connery who manages the complex, said:
“It brought back happy times for so many residents who like to reminisce and it’s lovely getting to hear their stories.”
‘Dancing Days’ is a collection of memories, not only about going to the dancing in the 1940s, but of school days, work memories and travelling abroad, collected by Citadel Arts Group living memory workers, Laure Paterson and Liz Hare.
The book stars Hermitage Court tenants Irene Graham, Sally Kyles, Robert McCauldlin, Isa MacKenzie, Gina Martorelli, Babs Russell and Chris Whelan.
Liz Hare from Citadel Arts Group, said:
“The residents kindly shared their memories and we have collected them into this book which will be a resource for the whole community. Copies will go into local libraries and PoLHA’s other sheltered housing complexes – Jameson Place and St Nicholas Court.”
The project is supported by Tesco Community Awards.
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If you fancy a wee dinner out this evening, then for £18 you can book a table at the Members Dining Room at Holyrood from 7:00pm.
For your opportunity to dine there contact Jennifer Bingham, Hospitality and Tourism Academy Coordinator, Queen Margaret University, E: jbingham@qmu.ac.uk
School students from our pioneering academy project will take over the running of Parliament’s Members’ Restaurant tonight, giving them the chance to feed the country’s top politicians. Thirteen students from the Hospitality and Tourism Academy will run the kitchen and front of house at the restaurant, offering a three-course meal to paying MSPs and their guests.
The MSPs and other diners will get the chance to enjoy pan-fried pigeon breast with parsnip puree and nasturtium salad; pork fillet in pinwheel oat crust with champ mashed potatoes and haricot verts; and white chocolate cheesecake with passion fruit jelly and passion fruit curd, as well as vegetarian options.
The students were invited to cook at the Parliament as part of a project led by MSP Colin Beattie to give college catering students experience of working in such prestigious surroundings. These students, however, were not as old or as experienced as most students studying cookery and hospitality at college.
The students are all studying at the Hospitality and Tourism Academy, a partnership between Edinburgh College, Queen Margaret University, local authorities and schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The academy is part of the South East Scotland Academies Partnership, which began with the Hospitality and Tourism Academy in 2012 and expanded last year to introduce three new academies, the Creative Industries Academy, the Health and Social Care Academy and the Food Science and Nutrition Academy.
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This evening the Bruntsfield Christmas lights will be switched on. Santa will appear from around 5.30pm. There will be late night shopping till around 8pm, lights on the Links, musical entertainment and a big switch on by someone famous…..Actually we can tell you who it is now!
Edinburgh-born TV nutritionalist, author and broadcaster Amanda Hamilton will be switching on the Holy Corner Christmas Lights this evening.
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Scottish Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind tenants to keep their stairwells clear especially in the run up to Christmas.
Group Manager Steve Gourlay, the City of Edinburgh Prevention and Protection Manager, said: “We would urge people not to leave rubbish or bins in the common stairwells of tenement blocks. This can be very attractive to fire setters and increases the risk of a fire. Discarded items of furniture and rubbish can produce large amounts of toxic smoke and also impede access for emergency responders. In Edinburgh, roughly 100 deliberate property fires occur every year with many of these involving combustibles in stairwells and the casualties and damage caused are preventable and we need to reduce them.
“You can reduce the risk of fire for yourself and your neighbours by keeping common stairs clear and free from obstruction and making sure main doors are kept locked. Steps should be taken to ensure the door entry/intercom system is working.
“I would like to stress the importance of having a working smoke alarm. Every household should have working smoke alarm and test them every week. We provide free home fire safety visits and fit smoke alarms where required. If you know someone who can benefit from our service, why not get them to give us a call? It is important that you know what to do if a fire does occur in the stairwell and how to keep safe. We can advise on this as part of the visit.
“If you or someone you know could benefit from a visit, please join Scotland’s fight against fire and request a visit by calling the SFRS freephone number 0800 0731 999, or by contacting their local fire station.”
A wide range of tips on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire are available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk
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Please send us your Happy Christmas, Happy Holidays or Happy New Year messages so that we can collect them and embed them on the website nearer Christmas Day.
Your team at work, your fitness group, your book club or your sewing club could be the stars of the show sending Christmas greetings to your friends.
Find out how to add your videos here!
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Edinburgh based Soilutions and Celtic Renewables Ltd, and South Queensferry’s Wind and Cloud Travel Ltd. were recognised as champions of business sustainability at the 15th annual Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards held last week in Glasgow.
Soilutions picked up the Circular Economy award, sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland, Wind and Cloud Travel were awarded the Best Micro Business Award, sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Celtic Renewables were commended in the Environmental Product or Service category, sponsored by ScottishPower. The awards ceremony was held at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel and attended by over 300 people from a wide range of Scottish businesses and organisations.
The VIBES Awards is Scotland’s leading environmental awards scheme. The Awards recognise businesses that contribute to the country’s sustainable development by taking significant steps to improve or reduce their impact on the environment.
Each of the 14 finalists was subjected to a rigorous judging process, including a programme of site visits which saw the VIBES judging panel travel across the country to assess the environmental practices of the named finalists.
The awards aim to encourage efficient use of resources, enhance business competitiveness, improve environmental performance and support wider sustainable development goals. Awards were presented for each of the eight categories: Management (Large and Small), Environmental Product or Service, Transport, Co-operation, Hydro-Nation, Circular Economy and Micro Business (full list of category winners available in notes to editors).
Gillian Bruce, Chair of the VIBES Awards, commented: “Each of our winners deserve credit for the work they are doing to improve their company’s bottom line through sustainable practices. The VIBES judges were consistently impressed by the lengths that the winning companies have gone to in order to put environmentally responsible practices at the centre of their business operations.”
John Curran, Managing Director of Soilutions, (photographed above) said; “We are delighted to be recognised for our environmental achievements through this VIBES Award. At Soilutions we are committed to sustainability, from the projects we manage to the way we run our business. It is great to have this focus recognised by the VIBES judges. ”
Katja Wündrich, Founder of Wind & Cloud Travel Ltd., commented: “Sustainable Tourism has always been at the heart of our business but we are still a bit overwhelmed by this amazing news. To receive the recognition and acknowledgement through the VIBES Awards for our efforts shows us that we are on the right track. And we will keep going.”
Each of the VIBES winners is eligible to enter the European Business Awards for the Environment. In 2014 six out of the 12 entries representing the UK were chosen from previous VIBES Awards winners. Edinburgh-based Vegware and Stonehaven’s Bay Fish and Chips were selected as the only UK finalists in 2014, putting Scotland firmly on the map in terms of sustainable business practices in Europe.
The VIBES Awards is a strategic partnership between Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Government, Scottish Water, Scottish Enterprise, Highland and Islands Enterprise, Zero Waste Scotland, Energy Saving Trust and the 20:20 Climate Group. The Awards are further supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses and Bright Green Business.
Sponsoring the event this year are Business Stream, Albert Bartlett and Sons Ltd, ScottishPower, Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, Lothian Buses Ltd., NetRegs, Chivas Brothers, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the University of Stirling Management Centre.
Submitted by Lesley Ogilvy
From craft activities to seasonal music and special services, there are many ways to celebrate Christmas at Rosslyn Chapel this year.
The Chapel and visitor centre will be open throughout December and the holiday period, including Boxing Day and 2 January (closed only 24 and 25 December then 31 December and 1 January).
Younger visitors can join in ’Festive Fridays’ on the afternoons (1-4pm) of 5th, 12th and 19th December with craft activities between 1 and 4pm. These are included in the admission price for visitors.
There’s a feast of seasonal music to enjoy with lunchtime and evening concerts throughout December and visitors are welcome to attend any of the special services during Advent and Christmas. Full details of events and times are on the Chapel website – http://www.rosslynchapel.com.
Rosslyn Chapel is located in the village of Roslin, just 7 miles south of Edinburgh.
Submitted by Ian Gardner
Cultivating Crafts from Scotland and Pakistan
Twilling Tweeds is a cross-cultural initiative set up by Scottish Pakistani designer Adil Iqbal. It works with Pakistani embroiderers and Scottish weavers.
The Exhibition opens at Whitespace Gallery, 25 Howe Street in Edinburgh on Friday 12 December 2014 (Private opening 6pm – 8pm) and runs till Saturday 20th December 2014. (10am – 6pm).
Adil Iqbal, an Edinburgh-based fashion designer will be showcasing a range of ready to wear collection. There will be an exclusive line of hand embroidered tweed zip clutches, totes and many more items for sale.
The project connects the weavers of the Outer Hebrides, Scotland with the female embroiderers of Chitral, North West Frontier of Pakistan. A series of contemporary hand-loomed embroidered textiles interpret Scottish and Chitrali stories through illustrated narratives. The artwork incorporates Pakistani narratives illustrated on Harris Tweed as well as Scottish narratives on Chitrali calico.
The tapestries aim to depict the uniqueness of life in the Outer Hebrides and Chitral Valley. These ancient traditions will be preserved so that the skills of the artisans are not lost.
The pieces are illustrated and embellished by female artisans from Chitral. This project encourages the women to be creative designers and gives them the space to tell their stories in their own words and drawings ; interpreting the life of both communities.
In June 2012, Twilling Tweeds invited Chitrali embroiderers to participate in a series of creative workshops, where they were exposed to basic photography, drawing and coloring techniques. Their own daily lives, people, objects and anecdotes became the immediate source of inspiration. The workshops gave them the space to tell their stories in their own words and drawings; interprating the life of both communities. Throughout the workshops the women’s conversation and tales were recorded. These made up the accopnying narratives.
Nusrat Khatoon embroiderer from Chitral sharing her expereince :
‘ I have a lot of respect for the weavers and understand the hard work that goes in making the cloth. It’s similar to Chitrali Shu (Woollen cloth) so I instantly connected with the tweed.’
Taiba, embroiderer from Chitral had interwoven the lines from Scottish ‘Weaving Songs’ by Donald S Murray.
‘Listening to the Weaving songs has reminded me of the folk songs and stories relating to Chitrali Shu weaving and embroidery.’
A special edition textile had been embellished by Textile artist Alison Macleod on Chitrali Patti (local handspun wool).
On the Chitrali Patti panel, Alison embroidered a Gaelic ‘Waulking Song’ using free hand machine embroidery. She ‘wrote’ with the machine needle using a free motion. She also printed an image of a Lewis ‘sheiling’ and used threads of moorland colours to decorate the cloth.
Alison describing her Textiles:
’ I was fascinated by the Chitrali Patti and the similarities in the making process of Harris Tweed. Both cloths have such rich heritage and skill and live up to the saying ‘craft is knowledge’. As the Chitrali Patti is still being made in it’s traditional method, I think it fully reflects the Chitral culture with its rawness and strong smell. I wanted to combine this part of the Hebridean culture by adding the Gaelic waulking song and the sheiling image’.
Twilling Tweed’s mission is to create a bridge between Scottish and Pakistani crafts, which will provide a new cultural dimension to traditional Scottish fabrics through the application of traditional Pakistani art and embroidery.
We encourage new ideas and making of new textile work, market friendly, income generating products and encourage the artisans to take increasing ownership of the creative art and design process.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TwillingTweedsAndHunarmandHoost
Submitted by Adil Iqbal
Appetite Direct crowned Event Caterer of the Year at the UK Event Awards
Edinburgh-based boutique catering company, Appetite Direct, was named Event Caterer of the Year at the UK Event Awards held at the beautiful five star Marriot Hotel Grosvenor Square in London at the weekend.
The UK Event Awards celebrate the best of Britain’s events industry including event organisers, suppliers and marketers. Appetite Direct was up against two other finalists in their category. The company, which started in 2003 and employs 10 staff, provides casual and formal dining solutions for both corporate and consumer markets. Their impressive list of clients includes The BBC, Innis and Gunn and The Edinburgh International Festival.
Nigel Kennedy, Managing Director, says: “It is a wonderful achievement to be named as Event Caterer of the Year at a UK wide event and we couldn’t be happier with our award. Our team has put an incredible amount of hard work into everything from our menus and dishes to sponsorship and marketing, and we are delighted that this has been recognised.”
Appetite Direct is no stranger to winning awards. Last year, the business won the CiS Excellence Award for Independent Event Caterer of the Year – the only company to ever win this award twice.
Submitted by Stacey Dent
Police in the Scottish Borders have arrested and charged a man and a woman following high-value thefts from the Jedburgh and Melrose areas over the last week.
The 37-year-old man and 24-year-old woman were found to be in possession of £40,000 worth of goods, including a four wheel drive stolen from a property in Jedburgh. The man and woman appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court today.
Detective Superintendent Pat Campbell said: “This is a great result following extensive enquiries, and demonstrates that Police Scotland will not tolerate this kind of criminal behaviour.
“Anyone who notices any suspicious behaviour in their area is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. I would like to advice people to ensure their property is secure and that items within cars are removed from view. You can also visit the Police Scotland website for further crime prevention advice.”
A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged with two assault and robberies, which took place in Edinburgh last month.
The first incident took place in Salamander Street on 8 November, when a 38-year-old take-away driver was assaulted and robbed while delivering to an address. The second incident occurred on 26 November when a 57-year-old man was assaulted and robbed at a property on Elbe Street.The man appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday and was remanded in custody.
Enquiries are ongoing into these two assaults to trace a further suspect.
Police Scotland is issuing a nationwide appeal for information on a man missing from Drumchapel since 10 September 2014.
Jonathan Kelly had his licence revoked after failing to comply with imposed conditions following his release from Lowmoss Prison on 21 August 2014.
Police have undertaken extensive enquiries to locate Mr Kelly, however attempts so far to trace him have proved unsuccessful. There have also been no confirmed sightings of Mr Kelly.
Officers believe he may have travelled further afield than Scotland and may be in England or Dublin. Detectives working on the inquiry are in close contact with other law enforcement agencies and partner organisations to help trace Mr Kelly.
Detectives are convinced Kelly is receiving assistance from people to evade police – His appearance when he was last seen is white, around 5 ft 11 inches in height with short brown hair and a heavy build. However, officers believe his appearance may have changed and he may have grown a beard.
Detective Superintendent Stephen Grant said:
“We are issuing this image today with a plea to the communities across the UK for their assistance in tracing Jonathan Kelly. He has been unlawfully at large since 10 September 2014, and it is imperative that we trace him.
A number of police officers continue to work on this inquiry with assistance by specialist colleagues from within our organisation, and we are assisted by colleagues in other law enforcement agencies across the UK.
I would advise people not to approach him but to contact police if they see him – any sightings should be reported to police or give your information to Crimestoppers
A 27-year-old man has been arrested and charged with a knifepoint robbery at the Dalry Newsagent on Thursday 27th November.
He has also been charged with four other robberies in the Leith and Gorgie area over the past three months and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.
In an important announcement The Scottish National Portrait Gallery announced today that a near life-size portrait is being added to the collection.
The new acquisition is Portrait of Lady Montgomery by Sir Henry Raeburn (1756-1823). This elegant and impressive full-length portrait was allocated to the SNPG through the Acceptance in Lieu of Tax scheme early this year.
It is a major work by Sir Henry Raeburn, the leading Scottish portrait painter of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Full-length portraits from Raeburn’s late career are rare, and this imposing yet sensitively modelled work is the only example of a female sitter depicted by the artist in this format in the SNPG’s collection. Raeburn’s handling of Lady Montgomery’s features and clothes is at once vivid and yet highly subtle. She appears to gently smile at the viewer, while posed before a dramatic skyscape.
The painting presents a near life-size portrayal of Lady Helen Montgomery, née Graham (d.1828), a wealthy Scottish heiress. Lady Montgomery was the daughter of Thomas Graham of Kinross House, who had made, lost and re-made a fortune in India, before inheriting the family estates in Kinross and sitting as MP for Kinross-shire. She married Sir James Montgomery, who achieved both local and national prominence as, first, an MP and, then, as Lord Advocate, in 1816. He erected Stobo Castle between 1805 and 1811. Lady Montgomery is notable for the considerable wealth and social standing she brought to her marriage, which resulted in the union of two well-established and influential Scottish families.
Christopher Baker, Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery commented: “This is a splendid addition to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Raeburn had a remarkable ability to create an intimate and sensitive portrait within a grand format and here displays his slick technical skills with great mastery. We are very grateful to the Acceptance in Lieu scheme for making it possible for this impressive work to be transferred to public ownership.’
Almost certainly commissioned to mark her then recent marriage in 1816, Raeburn’s portrait presents Lady Montgomery in appropriately flattering terms. She is dressed in the simple, empire-line dress that was highly fashionable at the time; attached to the gold chain around her neck is a piece of jewellery which is probably a heart-shaped watch key, a possible reference to her new life. The painting is presented in its impressive original frame, which was made in Edinburgh in the early nineteenth century. It was included as a key loan to the 1997 SNPG exhibition which explored and celebrated Raeburn’s career.
In addition to the portrait of Lady Montgomery which is being unveiled today, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery has also been generously allocated through the Acceptance in Lieu scheme a fine portrayal, also by Raeburn, of her father-in-law, Sir James Montgomery. This work will be the focus of a later display at the Gallery.
Hibs’ under-20 team are back in SPFL Development League action tonight (kick off 7.15pm) against Partick Thistle at Ainslie Park.
Joe McBride’s team are unbeaten in nine and have scored an impressive 16 from the previous four games.
Striker Lewis Allan has contributed seven goals in the previous six games – and the 17-year-old from Earlston in the Borders told hibernianfc.co.uk “I’m looking forward to the game against Partick Thistle – hopefully I can play well, help the team and get amongst the goals again.
“It is just great to be involved and be part of it. I think I’ve learned a lot since the summer and I just want to improve, so that when I do get an opportunity I can make an impact.
“I travelled with the squad to the game on Saturday and went to Dumbarton the weekend before, so it is all good experience for me – being in and around the first team set-up.”
Police are appealing for witnesses following a hit and run incident in Davidson’s Mains on Sunday.
A thirteen-year-old boy was on a push-along scooter in Main Street at around 8.10pm when the collision occurred after the car mounted the pavement.
He sustained minor injuries and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for Treatment.
The vehicle failed to stop at the scene of the incident and was last seen heading towards the Drylaw area.
Anyone who can assist officers with their ongoing enquiry is asked to come forward.
The vehicle is described as a dark-coloured people carrier type similar to a Citroen C4 hatchback.
Inspector Chris Scobbie said: “Fortunately, the boy was not more seriously injured as a result of this incident, but still required treatment at hospital.
“The driver failed to stop and we are conducting local enquiries to trace this individual.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time of the collision and who may have information relevant to this investigation.
“In addition, I would urge the driver to come forward as soon as possible.”
Anyone with any information regarding these incidents should contact Police Scotland immediately on 101 or through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Mac’s Munchkins: an hour of farm-themed storytelling, crafts, playgroup and songs. For ages 2+. 10am and 3pm, today and every Tuesday, Gorgie City Farm, 51 Gorgie Road. £2 per child, no booking required, just come along and meet up at the Red Tractor.
Cancer Research UK’s Annual Art Exhibition: a week of original and unique art. Paintings from £30 to over £1,000, plus crafts, cards and handmade jewellery. Lots of great gift ideas! Teas, coffees, soup and home baking available to purchase in the cafe. 10.30am-5pm today and Wednesday to Friday, 10.30am-4pm Saturday, Adam House, 3 Chambers Street. Ends 6th December 2014.
Le Havre (2011): Marcel Marx (Andre Wilms), a former bohemian and struggling author, has given up his literary ambitions and relocated to the port city of Le Havre. He leads a simple life based around his wife Arletty (Kati Outinen), his favourite bar and his not too profitable profession as a shoeshiner. As Arletty suddenly becomes seriously ill, fate throws the young African refugee Idrissa (Blondin Miguel) into his path. Director Aki Kaurismaki’s masterpiece champions the downtrodden and celebrates the little things that make life worth living. ‘A glorious, colourful and deeply humane work.’ Shown in French with English subtitles. 6-7.30pm, Institut Francais Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent. Free. Also showing 1-2.30pm on Wednesday 3rd December 2014.
Janice Cairns: Forgiving Nancy. Janice will read from her first suspense romance novel, and talk about her journey to publication and the challenges she faced – a story that many unpublished writers will find inspiring. Refreshments available! 2-3pm, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place. No booking required, just come along.
Dementia Awareness Talk: over 86,000 people in Scotland have dementia, and the number is expected to double over the next 25 years. In this talk Andrew Senew, Director of Home Instead Senior Care, will discuss the causes, symptoms and different types of dementia, and the importance of diagnosis, medication, diet and lifestyle. 6.30-7.30pm, Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road.
Bookbug: songs and rhymes for very young children and babies: 10.30am, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan.
Community Navigator Information Stall: if you are 65+ and would like to find out about interesting local activities, groups, organisations and services, drop in to the library today or any Tuesday and say hello to the Health in Mind staff. 10am-12 noon, Oxgangs Library, 43 Oxgangs Road North.
Edinburgh Film Music Orchestra Concert: the orchestra and Edinburgh College of Art present a concert of varied film music, game scores and collaboration film music. Conductor: Yato Durant. 7.30pm, Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square. Entry by donation.
Edinburgh Greek Film Festival continues this week. Today September (2013): a gentle film about loneliness in the suburbs of Athens. 8.35pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked in person, by phone or online.
The OCP Pub Quiz: £5 per team, winner takes all, with some ‘tasty’ prizes for the runners-up. 8-10.30pm, Old Chain Pier, 32 Trinity Crescent.
Loretto stained glass window
Council budget meeting
Jenson Button coming to Edinburgh
Small Business Saturday
Bruntsfield late night shopping
A specially commissioned stained glass window has been installed in Loretto School’s Chapel to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1914 Christmas Truce to be unveiled by relatives of British and German officers involved.
The window was commissioned in commemoration of the 1914 Christmas Truce and Loretto’s association with that event and was created by Haddington-based artise, Kate Henderson. Its inspiration was the meeting of former Loretto pupil, Major Archibald Buchanan-Dunlop and his German counterpart.
Their historic handshake was a gesture during the extraordinary event of the ‘Christmas Truce’ in Ypres 1914. The positive image of enemy soldiers at peace is juxtaposed with the 148 poppies, representing all those Old Lorettonians lost in the conflict. The phrase around the shield Gloria in excelsis deo et in terra pax ((Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace). The official unveiling of the stained glass window will take place during a special Commemorative Service in the Loretto Chapel on Saturday, 20th December at 11:45 a.m.
The grandsons of Archibald Buchanan-Dunlop (a former Loretto pupil and one of the instigators of the 1914 Christmas Truce) and Hauptmann Maximilian Freiherr (Baron) von Sinner, (the commanding officer of the Machine-gun Company of the Prussian 6th Jäger Battalion, who was also involved in the Christmas Truce) will come together and unveil the stained glass window together in what promises to be a poignant act of reconciliation.
Jonathan Hewat, Director of External Affairs at Loretto School, said, “ We all grew up with the story of soldiers from both sides putting down their arms on Christmas Day 1914, and it remains wholly relevant today as a message of hope over adversity, even in the bleakest of times. We are delighted to be welcoming to the Service relatives of two soldiers involved in this most famous of truces.”
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The council ran a live meeting with a public audience of around 50 last night at the City Chambers.
You can read the questions put to the panel of councillors here on our live round up, but you can also watch the hour long proceedings again here.
Then you can still have your say on the draft budget for a week or two here.
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Do you have a ticket for the driving event on Thursday in Edinburgh’s West Princes Street Gardens featuring a former F1 World Champion and the 2014 McLaren Mercedes drivers?
The event is sponsored by Johnnie Walker and you are promised a driving spectacular featuring Mika Hakkinen, Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen.
The real reason behind the event is to promote the drinks giant’s stance against drinking and driving, but what we will get for two and a half hours from 11:00 is a “Join the Pact” Driving Spectacular.
If you don’t already have a ticket for the Ross Bandstand then it appears you are too late, but there will be free public viewing by the Ross Fountain and on the top level of the gardens (you might need binoculars from there!).
For everyone who signs up the drinks company commits to 1 km of free transport so that late-night revellers can get home safely rather than having to take a car. Join the Pact to never drink and drive by tweeting #GetHomeSafely to @JohnnieWalker_ or by visiting www.jointhepact.com
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What better way to support small business Saturday this weekend than by going to Coburg House Art Studios in Leith.
It is the Open Studios weekend and over 80 artists in 50 studios will be exhibiting their work.
There will be exquisite jewellery, Harris tweed bags, hand woven scarves, a diverse and inspiring range of paintings and prints, extraordinary ceramics and conceptual three dimensional pieces. With many award winning artists making Coburg House their home it’s definitely worth a visit.
OPEN STUDIOS
SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER + SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER
11AM – 6PM
15 COBURG STREET, EDINBURGH, EH6 6ET
www.coburghouseartstudios.co.uk
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Tomorrow evening in Bruntsfield from 6pm-8pm on 3rd December is Bruntsfield Shopping night!
Come out for a daunder on Wednesday evening and you are guaranteed carols, mince pies, mulled wine and great gift ideas from some of the City’s best independent shops.
The local Christmas lights will also be switched on that night, a craft fair on at the Eric Liddell Centre, wine-tasting at Oddbins and a guest appearance by Santa!
Rugby Round up
Brewin-Dolphin Schools Cup Finals
Thursday night at BT Murrayfield saw the conclusion the the B-D Schools Cups for U16 and U18 Boys. As this was, probably, the first time – and, probably the last time – most of those involved would be playing on the big pitch, the players involved came out with all guns blazing, intent on enjoying the experience and puting up a good performance for the supporters. Speaking of which, at over 5,000 it was a bigger, and more enthusiastic, crowd then Edinburgh usually get.
The first match on the pitch was the U16 match between Dollar Academy and Merchiston Castle School. Dollar came out of the traps firing on all cylinders are were soon into an early lead and, with three first half tries to Merchiston’s one, lead 19-7 at half time.
However, whatever it was that Merchiston had in their half time drinks caused a sea-change in their game and they dominated much of the half, scoring 13 unanswered points to take the lead going into the final 10 minutes. Dollar then scored their fourth try with eight minutes left to retake the lead, but the game wasn’t over yet. With the clock showing 70 minutes – full time for the boys – Merchiston pinned Dollar back near their try line and were rewarded after 3-4 minutes of attacking – and, it has to be said, a fantastic defensive effort from Dollar – with the winning try with a 25-24 score line.
The U18 match followed this one, but could it follow the drama? With George Watson’s College and Merchiston Castle School lining up for the start, it was a much anticipated game. Despite dominating much of the play, Watson’s were 5-3 down at the break, following their 35th second penalty and a Merchiston try.
The second half carried on as the first, with a dominant Watson’s team, keeping Merchiston at arm’s length and scoring three tries and a penalty to take a 23-3 lead into the final five minutes. Once again, a Merchiston team left it late to turn up the wick and their two tries left them within a score of taking the match. But, in spite of dogged resistance to Watson’s defence, they couldn’t get over halfway from the 79th minute restart and the match finished 23-17 to Watson’s for their third successive Cup victory.
Edinburgh Rugby
Playing away this weekend in Italy, Edinburgh had high hopes of maintaining their form to beat Zebre in Parma. However, it wasn’t to be and, leading 10-6 in the final 20 minutes, Edinburgh leaked two tries to lose the match – and their first in five – 18-10.
Next up for the Edinburgh squad is London Welsh in the European Challenge Cup on Sunday (K/O 2:00pm, 7th Dec.) at BT Murrayfield. Edinburgh currently top their group with two wins from their two outings against French opposition and, given Welsh’s woeful record this season, should make it three as the two French sides vie to knock each other out of the competition.
Club Rugby
BT Premiership
It was back to BT League action at the weekend with all four teams playing in the capital – Accies were at ‘Muir – and three coming home with the points. Boroughmuir beat Edinburgh Accies 22-16 at the bottom of the table clash at Meggetland, Currie saw off a Borders’ challenge from Gala to the tune of 21-10 and Heriots beat another Borders’ side, Hawick, 29-15 at Goldenacre.
All this leaves Heriots one place nearer the top in second with 41 points and Currie in sixth with 28. Boroughmuir and Edinburgh Accies still prop up the table in ninth and tenth places with 19 and 14 points respectively.
BT National League, Div. 1
Stewarts-Melville beat Peebles 34-18 at Inverleith on Saturday, while Watsonian’s travelled to up to Aberdeen Grammar to suffer a 25-16 defeat at the hands of the North-east side.
Stew-Mel are still third in the table with 38 points and Watsonians in fourth but maintain their one-point gap with 37.
When ‘Christmas spirit’ is being forced down your throat on a daily basis, it’s easy to forget the conflict that still resonates in the town of Bethlehem today. Famously known as the birthplace of Christ, the town is a hotspot for tourism, but remains a scarce source of revenue. In her labour of love, Leila Sansour has spent the past five years documenting the town’s segregation from the world, and her attempts to combat it.
A woman returns to her childhood home in the city of Bethlehem for the first time in years to discover little has changed since the conflict that overruled the city when she was a child. Driven by the great wall that divides the area, she campaigns to bring it down and restore Bethlehem’s communal spirit.
Her story is one of expectation versus reality; a wholly personal one that depicts a woman driven by fantasy to return home, only to be overwhelmed with disappointment. By turns both personal and political, Sansour favours the reportage of the former, leading to a factually driven documentary that, whilst informative, doesn’t dwell on her evidently interesting personal life. She tells stories of her childhood with her father in Russia; a man who did everything in his power to bring the rights of education to Bethlehem. It’s a connection both powerful and broken, one that would give the film a little more colour. Sansour’s passion is always visual, but seldom tangible. A deeper look into her own life in Bethlehem could have worked wonders here.
Unafraid, it doesn’t force itself to end on a strong, uplifting note. It understands its place as a documentary, and not a piece of work that is engaging through obtuse imagery nor dialogue. It tells a story, and it tells it very well.
It’s out to inform rather than wholly entertain, but Open Bethlehem is effective in its intentions – for the ill informed, this is absolutely essential viewing.
Open Bethlehem is released in UK Cinemas on December 5th
The council are running a live event at the City Chambers tonight. You can follow proceedings live on line by clicking here (or using the watch again feature if you have missed it) but at the same time this page will update automatically with all the comments from social media.
We are sure you will have something to say about how the council use their budget over the next financial year from 2014 to 2015. The council has to make some savings but they have said that Edinburgh Leisure will not face any closures, and they are proceeding with new school building as normal.
So what does it really mean for Edinburgh?
You may find out here this evening from 7:00pm. Use the hashtag #edinbudget for your tweets or Instagram posts to be included here.
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Councillor Paul Godzik is the Education Convener on the council. He is keen to preserve spending for schools and recently he has cut the turf at two new schools being built in the city. The schools in Portobello and Fountainbridge will both be ready for secondary school pupils in August 2016.
The Edinburgh Reporter interviewed Councillor Godzik at the ceremony in Portobello:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME5YSr8GJxw?list=UUpyjaNvEF_ryiKTJ6QxCkIA]
Councillor Godzik writes:
Edinburgh schools are performing well, we continue to perform better than comparable cities in Scotland and neighbouring authorities. Early indications from this summer’s exam results are set to show this trend will continue.
Add into the equation new statistics showing 91% of young people in Edinburgh achieved a positive destination on leaving school and you really can see that the Capital Coalition’s commitment to providing opportunities for our young people to achieve their potential is working.
However, we all know that the Council faces significant financial challenges, our overall funding is being reduced and given the Council Tax freeze there is little opportunity to raise additional revenue. These budget pressures mean we have to make careful choices when prioritising where we spend our money.
It means looking at every area of spending and checking if we can be leaner and deliver more efficiently. It is undoubtedly a difficult task, but I want to reassure everyone we are committed to spending on our schools and delivering a first class education.
We already have a £30m, five year maintenance and repair plan for our schools and other buildings in our Children and Families estate. However we realise this is an area where more money needs be spent to ensure they are all of a good or excellent condition. By realigning our spending I hope we can ensure there is more capital funding for areas like maintaining school buildings and other major projects.
We are already delivering much-needed new schools at James Gillespie’s, Boroughmuir and Portobello, we have funding committed for St Crispin’s Special School and St John’s RC Primary, and no other Council in Scotland has taken such an innovative and collaborative approach to tackling the issue of rising school rolls like we have.
We know that sending your child to school for the first time can be a stressful experience for any family, so despite the unprecedented rise in rolls we’ve given parents a guarantee that places will be available at their local catchment primary. A £15m investment in our rising rolls project has already seen an extra 46 modern, high quality class spaces delivered in our primary school estate in the first two years and more are on the way.
We will continue to invest in services for the very youngest to provide them with the best start in life – more than £4m has been invested in our Early Years Change Fund. We’ve set out plans for eight new nurseries and we are also providing free nursery places of up to 600 hours for pre-school age children.
Looking after and protecting the most vulnerable children, services for children with disabilities, providing additional support for learning, more foster carers and effective youth offending services are all key areas. Our transformation programme, seeking to change the nature of these services, boosting support and reduce long-term demand is ongoing.
While there are undoubted challenges ahead we will face these head on and need the public to be our partners on this journey.
The budget proposals are out for consultation so we want to hear from as many residents as possible on where people want us to invest and where they would recommend savings. For example next week I’m holding a budget engagement meeting with parent council chairs.
Last year we did listen and made changes to our proposals for school librarians, learning assistants and payments to kinship carers. We have also taken on board views about protecting our schools’ budget and this is reflected in this year’s proposals.
The referendum process saw many young people engage in politics for the first time and we want to build on this successful engagement with them. We now have an online budget planner where people can try for themselves to set a balanced £950m budget.
We need to ensure the high standard of service we provide for our children is not affected so I would urge everyone to have their say and go to www.edinburgh.gov.uk/budget to give us their feedback.
Also you can join in the debate tonight online by watching the live Question Time event here. Join in using the Twitter and Instagram hashtag #edinbudget
Singing sensation Susan Boyle was this afternoon officially honoured with the Fan’s Choice Award from last year’s Scottish Music Awards. The Britain’s Got Talent star beat out an abundance of Scottish talent, thanks to votes from fans in 2013. She was presented her award today by Donald MacLeod, chairman of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland at their base in Broxburn where she also participated in a therapy session with some of the pupils.
The 2013 Fan’s Choice Award gave the public the power to vote for their favourite Scottish artist. Fans voted for Susan from a shortlist of the biggest selling Scottish acts of the year, including Emeli Sandé, Biffy Clyro, Texas and Calvin Harris. However, it’s not just Scotland who’ve fallen in love with Susan’s charm, the West Lothian born singer has gathered a legion of fans all over the globe since she burst onto our screens in 2009.
Susan Boyle is the definition of an overnight success. In perhaps the most famous TV talent show audition ever, she wowed judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan with her incredible rendition of ‘I Dreamed A Dream’. Susan instantly became a huge hit worldwide, with her first audition being watched on YouTube over 560 million times. Despite not winning the contest, Susan has gone on to achieve extraordinary levels of success. She has released six albums, three of which have hit the top spot in the UK and two in the US, amassing record sales of over 23 million worldwide. The Scottish Music Awards celebrate artists who fly the flag for Scotland and there is no doubt that Susan is the perfect illustration of this.
Susan hasn’t had the easiest of upbringings however, as she claims she was constantly teased as a child, ‘I like a laugh, but I didn’t like being the butt of a joke. All my life, I’ve had to fight to prove myself.’ Susan has Aspergers Syndrome, a mild form of autism. Being honoured by a charity that uses music to help improve the lives of autistic children and adults really means a lot to Susan, ‘The work that Nordoff Robbins Scotland does is absolutely remarkable, to be acknowledged by the Scottish public is always heart warming, but the fact that it’s in association with Nordoff Robbins Scotland makes this extra special.”
Susan was today joined by children from Beatlie School in Craigshill, Livingston to accept her award. The school provides primary and secondary education for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Pupils Rowan Robertson, Vikki Cavanagh and Alana Cairns, who were in attendance today, benefit from the incredible work of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland today had Susan participate in one of the therapy sessions. Deputy Head Teacher, Debbie Green had nothing but praise for the charity, “We are always looking for meaningful and relevant activities in the community for our senior pupils so that they can be learning in a variety of contexts and environments. Our link with Nordoff Robbins has provided such an opportunity.”
The Scottish Music Awards acts as the largest source of funding for the charity Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland which requires £600,000 a year to operate. The organisation uses music as a form of therapy to help enrich the lives of over 400 children and adults all over Scotland suffering from trauma, illness or disability. The fundamental belief of the charity is that everyone, no matter how ill or disabled has a response to music. The unique combination of music and therapy is revolutionary, allowing one’s creative side to combine with other forms of therapy illustrates the healing powers that music holds.
Saturday 29th November saw Neon Jungle and Nicholas McDonald perform at the 16th annual Scottish Music Awards, and winners of the coveted Tartan Clef Awards went to Jimmy Somerville, Prides, Still Game and Prince, amongst others, for their services to the Scottish music industry. The evening raised over £130,000 for the charity on the night, with auctions prizes being sold to the likes of Lorraine Kelly and DF Concert’s Geoff Ellis.
Councillor Ricky Henderson, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Housing Committee, concentrates here on his priority of ensuring there is enough money to go round to look after those who need some kind of care to help them live as independently as possible. Councillor Henderson is the Labour representative for Pentland Hills, where he commands a great deal of respect as a local councillor.
Councillor Henderson writes:
Making sure that people living in Edinburgh are well cared for physically, socially and mentally is a top priority for the Council, and our annual budget is based on this simple foundation.
Of course, demographics are changing and this creates added pressures when we decide how and where to spend, and also, to save. We have an ageing population, with around the same number of pensioners as young people. While the fact that we are living longer is welcome, this presents added challenges, such as an increase in age-related health conditions.
Despite budget pressures, we continue to invest in vital services, which help to protect the vulnerable people who need it the most, such as those with disabilities, or addiction issues. This year we invested additional resources of £5.1 million in new services for older people and adults with learning and physical disabilities. We also invested an extra £8.7m in preventative services.
This year saw the Scotland-wide introduction of Self-Directed Support, an innovative way of giving people the power to choose how they want their care to be delivered. Looking after carers is also important, and we continue to give one-off payments of £250 each year. Our Volunteernet scheme gives fantastic support to carers through a bank of volunteers.
We are working hard with partners to provide residential care for older people and people with disabilities, and this week we announced plans to build a new £9m care home. Despite budget pressures, we are actively recruiting care staff at the moment. Allowing people to live as independently and safely as possible in their own home or in their local community will remain a priority next year.
Council campaigns supporting mental health in 2014 have included Dementia Awareness, Autism Edinburgh and Speak Up Speak Out. We work closely with agencies such as NHS Lothian and third sector organisations to invest in wellbeing, and on joint schemes such as the Edinburgh Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, which helps us to address the reasons for substance misuse, as well as tackling the effects of it.
You can play your part in shaping the Council’s budget for 2014/15 by giving your views through our online planner. We’re really interested to hear how you think that we can continue to invest in health and social care, despite increasing budget pressures.
Join in the debate this evening from 7:00pm with the Twitter hashtag #edinbudget and watch online where our webcasting service will show the debate from the City Chambers.
Councillor Cammy Day is the Vice Convener of Health Social Care and Housing. The Edinburgh Reporter always seems to meet Councillor Day at the launch of a housing development and last week was no exception. We met at the new housing development in Pennywell, Muirhouse, and he spoke to us in this video.
[vimeo 113037265 w=500 h=281]
The Edinburgh Reporter NEWS Housing at Pennywell from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.
Councillor Day is a candidate in the 2015 Westminster election, and he write:
Edinburgh is a fantastic place to live and it’s our job to help make sure people in the city are able to live in quality, affordable housing in a safe environment.
We have to make sure that as a Council our budget constraints don’t stall progress in developing modern, energy efficient homes for tenants, at costs they can afford. This means that we have to use our resources wisely to upgrade our current housing stock and build new homes to the highest standard. Over the last year I am proud of our achievements in doing this and, together with our partners, we provided almost 1,300 new affordable homes, trebling the number of new affordable homes being built in the city.
New homes have been let to tenants in Craigmillar and West Pilton, while one of Scotland’s largest housing-led regeneration projects is currently underway in Pennywell, and set to deliver over 700 homes in the North of Edinburgh. This work is delivering long lasting benefits to local communities and we are looking to expand on this to regenerate and enhance other parts of city.
However, building better communities isn’t just about new housing, it is about making sure people feel safe in their homes and in their communities. That is why the work of our Community Safety teams of officers and wardens are so important in tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour, which can have a huge impact locally, on an individual, and on the environment.
We have also committed £1million to begin to upgrade our CCTV systems across Edinburgh and are working with partners to create an integrated CCTV network for the city. We are lucky that we live in a city that was voted the UK’s safest this year, and that residents tell us they mostly feel safe after dark, but we’ll keep listening together with partners so that the people who live, work and visit here are kept safe.
There is much to do to meet the needs of a growing population and the increasing demands that this places on the Council, so when it comes to allocating next year’s budget we must get it right. We have to build on successful projects and fund new ones to make sure our residents live in safe, thriving communities across the Capital. That is why we are urging people to play their part in our budget decisions, so please have a look at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/budget and let us know your priorities.
Also, you can ask Councillor Henderson any health, social care and housing questions during a live Budget session today from 7:00pm. The hashtag is #edinbudget.
Edinburgh’s Christmas is in full swing, and you can happily spend a day on skates, swings and helter-skelters, partaking of pancakes, pies and pretzels and enjoying everything else the markets have to offer.
If, however, you should find yourself growing weary of the stalls and the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread (surely hard to imagine!) then take a stroll down the smaller avenue overlooking Santa Land and you’ll find a surprise there.
Out in the Christmassy air of the Princes Street Gardens, The Stained Glass Window Project is a collaborative enterprise between Edinburgh primary schools and local businesses, in which children from around the city have created designs for stained glass windows. The best entries are now on display.
The theme for this year’s exhibition is ‘winter’, and the project has certainly inspired some suitably seasonal works.
Every one of the 21 ‘windows’ is charming. Our favourites included a woolly mammoth design by Abi Macmillan from St John’s RC Primary, a minimalist portrayal of the Edinburgh skyline by Finn Latimer of Trinity Primary, and a window reminiscent of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” by Hannah Richardson of Hermitage Park Primary.
The City of Edinburgh Council Arts & Creative Learning Team rightly commended the lovely tree design from Sam Worley of Roseburn Primary, but all of these window designs are to be commended for showing us the creative talents and imagination of our city’s schoolchildren.
Taking pride of place along an avenue in the Christmas Market, found by following directions to Santa Land, this project is a reminder of the delights of Christmas for those of us perhaps disheartened by the videos of members of the public beating each other out of the way to reach the last cheap television on Black Friday.
The spirit of Christmas is alive and well; take a break from the festive frenzy and find it here, in the centre of Scotland’s capital.
Supported by the Edinburgh City Council and the Underbelly.
Contributors:
Broughton Primary: Maya Davidson
Corstorphine Primary: Aidan Gribble
Forthview Primary: Sagal Ayaanle
Fox Covert RC Primary: Leigh Macdonald
Hermitage Park Primary: Hannah Richardson
Holy Cross Primary: Annelise Allan
Nether Currie Primary: Finlay Owen
Roseburn Primary: Maya Williamson
Sam Worley (commended by CEC Arts & Creative Learning Team)
Sighthill Primary: Gab Peter
St David’s RC Primary: Ben Forbes
St John’s RC Primary: Abi Macmillan
St Mary’s RC Primary: Antonia Puchala & Reiss Gallagher
Trinity Primary: Finn Latimer
Victoria Primary: Ella Johnson
Later today you will have the chance to quiz the council about how they are going to spend the money we all pay to them in council tax. (At least that is where some of their annual £1bn budget comes from.)
There is a Budget Question Time event taking place at the City Chambers tonight at 7:00pm. Frank O’Donnell the editor of The Edinburgh Evening News is in the chair and will direct proceedings on the floor of the chamber and you can watch the proceedings live through the council’s webcast service here.
The Edinburgh Reporter will also have our own live event running over here which will collate any tweets or Instagram photos sent using the hashtag #edinbudget.
On the panel will be:
Councillor Alasdair Rankin (SNP) is the council’s Finance Convener and has set out the draft budget for consultation. You have another couple of weeks to add your comments to the draft which you can do here. Councillor Rankin is keen to stress that the council really can listen to you and that last year changes were made to certain areas of spending following public comment.
A number of more operational budget proposals for 2015/16 were agreed at the Council meeting on Thursday, 23 October 2014. The rest of the budget will be agreed on Thursday, 12 February 2015.
Cllr Rankin said: “Agreeing these proposals now will allow officers to press ahead and ensure that these savings are achieved in 2015/16. However, we also agreed at the meeting to add four of the proposals to our public engagement document on the budget. This year we are asking residents to take Edinburgh’s budget challenge and see how they would balance our books. I would encourage anyone who hasn’t already done this to have a go.”
Councillor Steve Cardownie (SNP) the Deputy Leader and Festivals Champion. The SNP government has imposed a council tax freeze, but we suppose this is counter-balanced by the success of all the festivals which take place in the city year-round, and the income these generate for the council and businesses across Edinburgh.
Holyrood held a one-day event to examine the economic impact of the festivals on the capital in August this year. Councillor Cardownie writes here about his thoughts on the draft budget for festivals.
Councillor Paul Godzik (Labour) who is in charge of the Education budget has been pleased to attend the sod cutting ceremonies at two new schools this year. The new buildings will provide state of the art facilities for pupils and local residents when the new Portobello High School and Boroughmuir High School open in August 2016.
Councillor Frank Ross (SNP) who is the city’s Economy Convener and who has masterminded the council funded development of the Atria office building next to the EICC. Councillor Ross writes here about the city’s economy.
Cllr Ross commented on Edinburgh being ranked third in the UK for economic performance and quality of life by the 2014 Good Growth for Cities index, from PwC and think tank Demos.
Their report measures the performance of the UK’s largest cities against 10 categories defined by the public and business as key to economic success and personal and family wellbeing.
The measures include jobs, health, income, skills, work-life balance, house-prices, travel-to-work times and pollution.
Councillor Ricky Henderson (Labour) looks after spending in the areas of Health Social Care and Housing and has the unenviable task of trying to balance the books in his department while UK government measures such as the Bedroom Tax and Universal Credit have been introduced which affect many aspects of these policies.
Councillor Adam McVey (SNP) is the Vice-Convener of Transport and Environment with an eye on matters about active travel. He is the Chair of the Cycling Forum and the Walking Forum which have recently been set up.
(We think he may be the youngest councillor, but are not entirely sure of that!) Councillor McVey lives in Leith and represents the interests of the people in the Leith Ward.
Councillor Norma Austin Hart (Labour) is the Vice-Convener of Culture and Sport where many people have thought there might be sweeping cuts to services. Councillor Austin Hart is about to announce her candidacy for election to Alistair Darling’s seat in Edinburgh South West at next year’s General Election.
The Leader and Deputy Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council clarified the council position regarding the future of Edinburgh Leisure venues, describing discussions around potential closures as ‘entirely premature’.
Their comments followed recent media coverage around the council’s budget proposals for the next financial year, 2015/16.
Council leader, Andrew Burns, said: “I want to be entirely clear that there are no proposals to close any council-owned leisure facilities and any discussion around this is entirely premature.
“As a local authority, we are facing significant challenges, most notably increasing demand on front line services and financial constraints, and Edinburgh Leisure must jointly play their part in facing up to these challenges.
“Since becoming a Trust in 1998, Edinburgh Leisure has done much to improve the delivery of sport and leisure in the city – consistently improving their annual turnover and, with that, reducing their reliance on council grant funding – and we recognise the enormous value the venues and services bring to communities across the city.
“We believe this model can continue to be successful and would expect their Board to imaginatively explore and exhaust all possibilities around improving efficiency and reducing costs in the years ahead – while maintaining their level of service as far as possible.”
Deputy Leader, Steve Cardownie, added: “Despite these obvious challenges, the council’s commitment to sport remains undiminished and we will continue to work closely with Edinburgh Leisure, sportScotland, and others to find the necessary funding to ensure our facilities are fit for a 21stcentury capital city.
“The recent refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool and successful bid for the National Performance Centre for Sport are testament to this fact, as is our continuing work on developing a sustainable and affordable replacement for Meadowbank Stadium and Sports Centre.”
The full budget proposals, the budget planner and short film can all be accessed at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/budget.
You can have your say by:
– completing the online budget planner to have your say on what services you would spend or save money on in 2015 to 2018
– commenting on the 2015/16 proposals
Hibs will face Arbroath in the 5th round of this year’s Scottish Cup.
Their fans will be hoping for a similar score to the last time the teams met in the Scottish Cup when the Easter Road side won 6-0 thanks to goals from Scott Brown (2), Ivan Sproule, Michael Stewart, Steven Fletcher and Gary O’Connor nine years ago when Tony Mowbray was the manager.
The tie will take place on Saturday 7 February and ticket information will be confirmed in due course.
Head Coach Alan Stubbs told hibernianfc.co.uk “First and foremost, we’re delighted that we’re at home. As I’ve said before, getting a home draw was a priority, so we’re pleased we’ve managed to get that.
“The tie against Arbroath will be a tough game – they are currently doing really well and are top of League Two.
“We will have them watched and prepare properly for the tie. We certainly won’t underestimate and will give them the respect they deserve.
“It should be a good Scottish Cup tie and it’s one that everybody is looking forward to.”
The other Edinburgh team in the last 16, Spartans will host Berwick Rangers or Albion Rovers.
The full draw is as follows:
Dundee v Celtic
Falkirk v Annan Athletic / Brechin City
Hibernian v Arbroath
Partick Thistle v St Mirren or Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Queen of the South v St Johnstone
Rangers v Raith Rovers
Spartans v Berwick Rangers / Albion Rovers
Stranraer / Dunfermline Athletic v Dundee United
No this is not some kind of reality TV show, but a real competition where homeowners do the nominating of those painters and decorators that they think do the best job.
Brian Urquhart from Liberton has been announced as a finalist in the Dulux Trade Ultimate Professional Decorator Awards 2014. He was shortlisted for the UK-wide competition by the paint manufacturer as part of its annual campaign to recognise the UK’s most professional decorators.
The Ultimate Professional Awards allowed homeowners across the UK nominate local painters and decorators who they felt embodied excellent service and consistently delivered high quality, professional workmanship, while going above and beyond.
The judges commented on Brian’s willingness to provide his customers with advice and his extremely professional approach.
Brian will now go through to the final stage of the competition, where he will compete with nine other finalists for the title of the UK’s Ultimate Professional Decorator 2014. In recognition of their achievement, the overall winner will receive the Ultimate Prize – either VIP tickets to a sporting event or a relaxing luxury spa experience.
Samantha Balloch, Marketing Manager for Dulux Trade, commented: “We launched the Ultimate Professional Decorator competition to support the sector and highlight the hard work of decorators across the UK who work with pride, passion and professionalism.
“Brian is a great example of a decorator who not only carries out the job to an extremely high standard, he also treats his clients homes with the utmost respect, so it is great to be able to declare him a finalist in the Ultimate Professional Decorator Awards 2014.”
The final awards ceremony will take place late November when the overall winner will be announced from the 10 shortlisted entries.
For more details of Dulux Trade’s search for the UK’s Ultimate Professional Decorator, go to www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/ultimate
Police are appealing for witnesses following a suspicious fire at Paul’s RC Church, Muirhouse Avenue.
The incident was reported to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at around 9.20pm yesterday (Sunday, November 30). The fire has caused substantial damage to the building and is believed to be deliberate.
Police are eager to trace a number of youths in connection with this incident, who are believed to have been loitering near the building less than an hour before the fire started.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended and the fire was brought under control just after midnight. Fortunately the building had been vacant since its closure in October, which meant there were no casualties.
Pennywell Road and Muirhouse Avenue were temporarily closed but have now reopened. A part of the pavement on Muirhouse Avenue is still cordoned off and this will remain in place until the safety of the building has been assessed.
Inspector Alan Carson said: “This was an appalling attack on a religious building which, despite its closure, was still of importance to the local community in Muirhouse. It was a reckless act which could well have resulted in serious injury or worse.
“We are eager to talk to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious around the church on Sunday night.
“We are particularly keen to trace a group of youths who were seen near the church less than an hour before the fire was reported. Tracing these young people would significantly help us with our enquiries.
“Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Police Scotland immediately on 101 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A charity single in memory of Liberton schoologirl Keane Wallis-Bennett is now released.
Called ‘Keane’s Song’ it was written by her friends, with support from the school chaplaincy, just two days after Keane died tragically at Liberton High School.
Keane’s Song by Keane’s Girls, available now on iTunes and Google Play, is both a celebration of Keane’s personality and a lament that her friends miss her so much. The money raised from sales of the single will provide additional funds for enhancing the planned memorial garden at Liberton High School.
Aimee McCauley, 13, said: “I knew Keane since I was little, we had lots of fun times together. The song means a lot to me because when I’m sad, I can play the song and it makes me smile and remember all the good times. I miss her loads.”
Megan O’Hara, 13, said: “I can’t believe we’ve done this. Who would think we would go from writing the song in the church to help us cope to it being on iTunes!! Keane would love it.”
Keane’s mother Abbie Wallis said: “Keane’s friends have worked incredibly hard the past few months to make this happen and it would mean the world to myself and my family that everyone supports them by downloading the song.”
The song was created when the school chaplains, based in a partnership of local churches in the South East of Edinburgh, decided to open up the church next to the school (Liberton Northfield) in the days following the tragedy as a space where people could come and reflect, pray, light candles and write in a book of condolences.
Many pupils, teachers and members of the local community came through the space in the next few days. During a quiet spell on Thursday afternoon, one of the chaplains was playing guitar when a group of first year pupils entered the building. They asked him to keep playing and this led on to the idea of trying to write a song about Keane. Ideas and suggestions began to flow and soon there was the beginnings of a song.
The pupils returned later that evening to continue writing it and then returned the next day to listen to the song again. At their request the song was sung at a balloon release held at Goodtrees on the Friday afternoon and with the family’s permission, it was sung at a memorial service in Liberton Northfield the following Sunday. The song was then sung at Keane’s funeral service.
On each occasion it was one of the chaplains, David McNeish, who sang it on behalf of the young people who helped create it. The possibility of recording a version of the song with pupils themselves singing began to take shape. The chaplains therefore worked with a committed group of Keane’s friends who rehearsed the song weekly before recording it in the Music Department using equipment that the PTA had raised funds for previously. With help from Scott McCorquodale, Principal Teacher of Music, and bass and lead guitar from Guitar Teacher Mike McGeary, the song was recorded, mixed and uploaded to iTunes and Google Play.
David McNeish, Probationer Minister at Church of Scotland’s Liberton Kirk, said “I am so unbelievably proud of all the young people who helped to write and record this song. It’s incredibly moving to hear them singing their hearts out and a fitting tribute to their friend Keane, who loved music so much. Everyone is very excited that the single is now available to order from iTunes and we hope many people get a chance to hear just how brilliant Keane’s Girls are.”
Keane’s big step-sister Rebecca Nicholson-Bennett tweeted her support from Melbourne, Australia “She loved music so I’m sure she’s excited for the single release. Do my baby sister proud :)”
Headteacher Stephen Kelly said: “Coming together and recording the song is a very special way for Keane’s friends to remember her by. We’ve been blown away by the community response in support of the school – they’ve been absolutely fantastic and I hope everyone takes the opportunity to download the song and raise additional funds for the memorial.”
