Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following an armed robbery at a city centre shop.

The incident happened around 6.40pm yesterday (Wednesday) at the Canongate Store in the Canongate.

A 21-year-old man was working alone within when four men entered and brandished knives.

Two of the suspects then seized the till, which contained a large three-figure sum of cash. A plastic container containing a two-figure sum was also stolen before the men made off into Bulls Close where they were lost to sight.

Officers are now conducting local enquiries to identify those responsible and anyone who can assist with their investigation is asked to come forward.

All of the men were wearing construction hats and facemasks covering their noses and mouths.

The first suspect is described as white, in his early twenties, 6ft tall with a medium build. He was wearing a high-vis jacket with a silver hooded top underneath and grey cotton bottoms.

The second suspect is describes as white and wearing a high-vis jacket with a hooded top underneath.

The third suspect is described as white, around 18-years-old, approximately 5ft 10ins tall and wearing a high-vis jacket.

The fourth suspect is described as white, around 16-years-old, approximately 5ft 4ins tall and wearing a black hooded top and bottoms.

Detective Constable Alison Wyllie said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the shopkeeper, though, fortunately, he was not injured during the robbery.

“The suspects were distinctively dressed and so anyone who recognises their description or who remembers seeing anything suspicious in the are is urged to contact police immediately.

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

Cruise and Maritime voyages are increasing the number of cruise ships which depart from and return to Edinburgh next year, on their liner, Marco Polo, in its 50th anniversary year.

The company asked passengers what they wanted and are reacting to the demand for cruises leaving from a port as near to home as possible. This is an opportunity to bag a bargain for next summer as the company has some two for the price of one fares on departures from Dundee, and fares allowing the second passenger to travel for half price on the sailings from Port of Leith.

Here is the schedule for next year:

Marco Polo from Edinburgh – Leith

 Depart 24 June on an 11 nights cruise to Iceland and Northern Isles visiting the Shetlands, Faroes, Westmann Islands, and Orkneys plus four Icelandic ports including overnight in the capital Reykjavik. Expect magnificent scenery and remarkable natural surroundings.

Prices are from £1219 for the first person and half price for the sharing second person (ie £609).

Depart 5 July on a 6 nights cruise to the Scottish Isles and Faroes. The cruise provides an ideal summer break calling in to the Faroes, Shetlands, Outer Hebrides and Orkneys, CMV’s comprehensive choice of optional shore excursions ensures your time will be well spent.

Prices are from £669 for the first person and half price for the sharing second person (ie £339).

Depart 11 July on a 12 nights cruise to Baltic Cities & St.Petersburg. This itinerary takes you to Copenhagen, Helsinki, overnight in St. Petersburg, medieval Tallin in Estonia, Stockholm, and Fedrikstad for visiting Oslo. CMV’s choice of optional excursions allows you to tick off your bucket list of places and things you want to see. In Russia everyone with a British passport on a CMV excursion gets a group visa entry so you can avoid the cost of a visa and the application fee.

Prices are from £1339 for the first person and half price for the sharing second person (ie £669).

For full details of these and other itineraries go to www.cruiseandmaritime.com

Prices are per person based on two people sharing a standard twin inner cabin on a full board basis with afternoon teas, daytime activities and evening entertainment. Bookings must be made by 12 December 2014, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn without notice. Gratuities of £5pp per night will be debited to the onboard account.

Reservations Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0844 414 6185

Firrhill Christmas Market: enjoy seasonal refreshments as you browse the fabulous stalls – crafts, gifts, cards, jewellery, cakes, decorations and much, much more….7.15-9.15pm, Firrhill High School, 9 Oxgangs Road. Entrance £2, under 12s free.

Previously….Scotland’s History Festival starts today! Talks, discussions, walks, tours, song, theatre; celebrate Robert Louis Stevenson, hear about The Kaiser’s Spy in Scotland, experience a mediaeval concert at Rosslyn Chapel, learn how to write historical narratives at the City Art Centre, and be part of history in the Grassmarket when Chris Rutterford incorporates pictures of locals and visitors into a 64′ outdoor mural. For details of these and many more events, see Previously’s website. Festival ends 30th November 2014.

Writing Your Story, Writing History, with RLS Fellows J David Simons and Chris Dolan. Robert Louis Stevenson was a master of writing the past to create wonderful stories such as Kidnapped, The Master of Ballantrae and Treasure Island. To celebrate RLS Day, join this masterclass in writing narratives from the past, either through actual historical figures and events or through personal histories and memoir. 1.30-4pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Free, but places are limited and must be booked via eventbrite. Supported by Scottish Book Trust.

Amnesty International and Relief Theatre Present Even If We Lose Our Lives, exploring the difficulties faced by women in modern Afghanistan through the stories and words of Parween, founder of the only girls’ school in Laghman province, Manizha, the American-raised organiser of a women’s shelter, and Dr D, an anonymous gynaecologist operating in an unnamed province. Interviews were conducted by actor and human rights activist Christine Bacon. Each peformance will be followed by a short talk and Q & A session led by Amnesty activists and other guest speakers. All proceeds will go to Amnesty International. Please note: this play includes references to violence and domestic and sexual abuse. 8-9.15pm tonight and 14th & 15th November, Cairns Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets £6/£5: book via Summerhall’s website or at the box office (0131 560 1581).

Bookbug: 30 minutes of rhymes and songs for very young children. 10.30-11.00am, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North.

Robert Louis Stevenson All-Day Reading: the Robert Louis Stevenson Club journeys with the travel writing of RLS – backpacking, canoeing, hiking with a donkey, crossing the Atlantic and Wild West and sailing the South Seas. 11am onwards – drop in or stay all day, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Free and unticketed.

Share A Story: storytime for the under-5s. 10.30-11am today and every Thursday, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. No need to book – just come along!

Robert Louis Stevenson: Rare Pieces from the Collections: a chance to see rare material relating to RLS from the National Library’s collections, including first editions and photographs. On display for a limited period today only. 11am-2pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free and unticketed.

Gaelic Songs and Rhymes for children and babies. 10.30am, Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road. (Next session on 27th November at Blackhall Library.)

Tusitala’s Colinton: tour Robert Louis Stevenson’s Colinton following the new Poetry Trail, viewing the statue of a young RLS with the sculptor, and exploring RLS’s haunts in the Manse garden. 11am-12.30pm, begins from Triangle Public Garden viewing point on Woodhall Road. To book call 0131 441 2537 or email [email protected].

Cafe Voices: Stevenson Stories. Join storyteller Peter Snow for an evening of RLS stories as part of the Storytelling Centre’s monthly Cafe Voices session. 7-8pm, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Tickets £5: book online or call the Centre’s Box Office on 0131 556 9579.

Becoming Julie: My Incredible Journey – Julie Clarke launches her new book. Julie was born a boy in 1950s Scotland, but after battling her demons for many years she underwent transgender surgery in 2006 to become a women: her ‘poignant, funny and always honest’ book charts her struggles along the way. 6.30-8.30pm, Waterstones, George Street. Free tickets available in store: further details on 0131 225 3436.

Words and Deeds, Weapons and Wounding: Edinburgh University’s exhibition Words and Deeds: Women, Warfare and Caregiving explores the often neglected and understated story of women in warfare and was housed at Surgeons’ Hall Museum in 2013. Subsequently a new exhibition has been developed by the Museum to be displayed in conjunction with the original exhibition. Weapons and Wounding highlights the severity of injuries, exploring the progression of weaponry and the ever increasing need for new medical and surgical techniques to cope with wounding in warfare. 10am-8pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am-5pm Thursday to Saturday, Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road. Closes 29th November 2014.

Pass On a Poem: ‘ a chance to explore poetry in a beautifully bookish though wonderfully informal setting.’ Read a favourite published poem aloud, or just come along to listen to a diverse collection at this live poetry event. No previous experience of poetry or reading live required! If you know what you want to read, email the shop with details and they will add you to the list.  6.30pm, Golden Hare Books, 68 St Stephen Street.

Royal Mile Walking Tour: Walking tour of the Royal Mile, from the Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, led by Edinburgh Festival Voluntary Guides. 10am-12 noon, today and every day to 30th November 2014, starting from the foyer of The Hub. Booking is essential and tickets are £3/£1: contact George Laing on 0131 334 8490 or [email protected]. Part of Previously….Scotland’s History Festival.

Live Music Now: Laura Margaret Smith (mezzo-soprano) and Geoffrey Tanti (piano) perform A Castle Mills Suite, a new cycle of songs by John Maxwell Geddes, commissioned as part of the World War One Centenary Art Commissions. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.

Censoring Creativity: From Plato to Bach. Professor Stephen Rose, Royal Holloway College, University of London, will speak on this topic in the University of Edinburgh’s Music Research Seminars series. The talk will be followed by a Q & A session and a drinks reception. 5.15-6.15pm, Lecture Room A, 2nd Floor, Alison House, Nicolson Square. All welcome. For more information or any special access requirements contact [email protected].

Generation DJ Set: Loops Haunt. Residing deep in the Scottish countryside Scott Gordon ‘Loops Haunt’ has been producing experimental electronic and audiovisual artwork since 2003. His sound often encompasses ineffable ambiences and rugged industrial sounds sculpted into structure. For GENERATION By Night, Loops will offer a site-specific set, responding to the artworks on display and the theme of GENERATION: 25 years of contemporary art in Scotland. 6pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free and unticketed.

Artist Talk: Ross Sinclair. Ross will talk about the process of re-staging Real Life Rocky Mountain, before performing as part of it. 6pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free and unticketed. Part of GENERATION By Night.

Portrait Gallery Insights: George Jamesone, Scotland’s First Portrait Painter. Kate Anderson, Senior Curator at the Portrait Gallery, discusses the life and work of George Jamesone. Jamesone was a key figure in the development of portrait painting in Scotland; he was the first great native-born artist in a profession dominated by foreigners. 5.30-6pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free, but places are limited and should be booked by calling 0131 624 6560.

The Drawing Room: an informal artist-led drawing session. Each session is developed by a contemporary artist and is inspired by the GENERATION exhibition, whilst also reflecting concerns in the artist’s own work. All materials supplied: no experience necessary. 5.30-6.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free and unticketed.  Part of GENERATION By Night.

Write On! a new free writing group for people in South Edinburgh who would like to try something new or develop their creative writing. A friendly, supportive group offering planned writing sessions, structured around prompts to kickstart your imagination. Interests in all kinds of writing, including poetry, prose and memoir welcome, as are people completely new to creative writing. The group is about writing for pleasure rather than critiquing writing styles. 3.30pm today and every Thursday until 11th December 2014,  Tynecastle Community Wing, Tynecastle High School, McLeod Street. Advance registration essential: contact Rose at Health All Round for more information: 0131 337 1376 or [email protected].

Communities for Conservation: Food and Mood Workshop. Join this workshop to learn more about a healthy, balanced diet. A fun and interactive session looking at the role of fats, sugar and salt. 11am-1pm, ELREC (Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council), 14 Forth Street. Book your free place via eventbrite, email [email protected] or call 0131 556 0441.

India in the Archives: The Royal Society for Asian Affairs India Collection. Renowned historian of colonial Lucknow Dr Rosie Llwellyn-Jones will present material from the Collection. 4-5.30pm. Sidney Smith Lecture Theatre, Medical School, Teviot Place, Doorway 1, Room 2.520, University of Edinburgh. One of a series of seminars arranged by the Centre for South Asian Studies.

Ecumenical Friends at St Cuthbert’s. Charles J Burnett: Heraldry – the Shorthand of History. Everyone warmly welcome; bring your own packed lunch, tea and coffee provided. 12.30-2pm, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Lothian Road. £1.50 per person. Organised by Edinburgh City Centre Churches TOGETHER.

Kirk O’Field Coffee Morning: Edinburgh Food Initiative food co-op selling fresh fruit and vegetables, sale table with new and nearly-new goods – as well as teas, coffees, and the renowned bran scones and butteries! 10.30am-12 noon today and every second and fourth Thursday in the month, Kirk o’Field Parish Church, 140 The Pleasance.

Dancing Mice Album Launch: ‘Eroded takes in electronic pop, weird folk, psychedelia, and post punk, melding them into a quirky, erudite style with some cool pop hooks’. Plus guests Sacre Noir: Scottish-based electronica three-piece, and PAL: pop/new wave influences and songs in German.  7pm, Henry’s Cellar Bar, 16a Morrison Street. Free entry.

MP slams council review of HMO properties

Robert Louis Stevenson Day

Autumn Fair

Ceilidh

Law Society of Scotland video

Sheila Gilmore, MP for Edinburgh East, has criticised a review of Edinburgh’s HMO market for failing to consult with community groups who have called for a changes to the licensing regime.

Ordered by regulatory convenor Councillor Gavin Barrie, the review is up for approval in a report which will be considered by Councillors on Monday.  That report claims that while the number of HMO licenses in the city is at an all time high, the number of new licenses granted has plateaued in recent years. The report was based on consultation responses from tenants groups, letting agents and landlords, but makes no mention of contact with community councils and organisations in affected areas.

Using ‘heatmaps’  the report shows there are high numbers of licenses already granted in the Southside, Tollcross, Marchmont and Leith Walk, but recommends the council makes no use of new powers to establish ‘over-provision zones’ because there is still market demand for licensed properties.

Community groups across the city, including those in the Southside in Ms Gilmore’s constituency, have become increasingly concerned that the number of proposals student accommodation going before planners have gone before planners while no action has been taken by city officials to better manage the number of HMOs granted in ‘hotspots’ identified in the heatmaps.

Commenting on the report, Ms Gilmore said:

‘Community groups in my constituency, such as Living Southside, have been asking to get round the table to discuss the HMO market for months, but they have not been given any opportunity to provide feedback as part of the review.  One group, Living Southside, sat through a meeting with Cllr Barrie in September about this very issue, but the review, and any input they could have, was not mentioned once.

‘The review has consulted tenants groups, letting agents and landlords views who have reported there is demand on a city wide basis.  But in doing so it has failed to consult with community groups who identify there is acute over-provision in parts of the city.

‘Allowing further unfettered access to hotspots where HMO numbers are already high is a decision which cannot be taken lightly. This decision cannot be taken in isolation.  Any decision needs to be taken in conjunction with local residents and in cooperation other council departments, such as housing and planning, who have a stake in this issue.

‘Consultation must be reopened so that residents and community groups can have their say, and feedback if they think the Council should employ new powers to introduce overprovision zones’.

***

Today is Robert Louis Stevenson Day and if you go along to the National Library on George IV Bridge between 11am and 2pm you will be able to see their Stevenson exhibits up close as the curators bring them out for display. No booking, but tweet like mad today using the hashtag #RLSDay

Later today there is an Evening with Robert Louis Stevenson at the Laigh Hall organised by Edinburgh Napier University.

An evening discussion about Robert Louis Stevenson hosted by Louise Welsh and Nigel Planer.

Full Details

​Round off your celebration of RLS Day by joining us for an hour of lively discussion with Q&A about Stevenson, his life, work and travels with Glasgow-based author Louise Welsh and actor, comedian, novelist and playwright Nigel Planer. The event is hosted by Edinburgh Napier University’s Centre for Literature and Writing (CLAW), in partnership with the UNESCO City of Literature Trust.The event will begin at 6.30, lasting approximately 1 hour. The audience is invited to arrive from 6.00pm to allow for a timely start to proceedings.

Location and Time

6.30pm to 7.30pm
Laigh Hall, The Faculty of Advocates, Parliament House, Edinburgh EH 1RF

Gica Loening is hosting a St Andrews Day Porty Ceilidh for all the family at The Wash House Community Centre on 30 November from 3.30 to 5.30pm.

Tickets £6 Adults, £4 Children (under fives free) – for sale at The Wild Flower Shop. 90 Portobello High Street or at the door.

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Need to know how to complain about a Scottish Solicitor? The Law Society of Scotland have produced this video to help you.

First Minister Alex Salmond is in the last days of his role at the helm of The Scottish Government, and today he will face the Labour, Conservatives and LibDems at First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) for the last time. He will stand down as leader of the SNP and as First Minister at the SNP conference this weekend.

There have been few occasions in the last seven years when he has found himself on the back foot in the Holyrood Debating Chamber and there is little doubt that today will be any different.  You can watch FMQs live here on the Scottish Parliament website.

The questions tabled for the First Minister today are these:

12.00 pm First Minister’s Questions

1. Jackie Baillie: To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day. (S4F-02376)

2. Ruth Davidson: To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister. (S4F-02375)

3. Angus MacDonald: To ask the First Minister what response he has received from the Prime Minister to his recent correspondence regarding European Council fisheries negotiations. (S4F-02378)

4. Kenneth Gibson: To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government considers that the devolution of health and safety legislation would lead to more prosecutions where serious injury or death has occurred. (S4F-02379)

5. Graeme Pearson: To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the Law Society of Scotland’s discussion paper, Legal Assistance in Scotland, which says that the current system is not fit for purpose. (S4F-02386)

6. Alison Johnstone: To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is on underground coal gasification and whether any licences have been granted for exploration. (S4F-02392)

When quizzed at a press conference at Bute House yesterday as to whether he will miss the First Ministerial podium and FMQs, he answered: “Yes I will miss it greatly.  I love FMQs and I love the Scottish Parliament. I think the Scottish Parliament has emerged as the dominant political forum of Scotland not just in the last seven years, but over the period since 1999. We take that for granted now. We take that as an obvious statement but it was by no means taken for granted when the Parliament was reconvened in 1999. It is now the dominating force in Scottish Policitoics and the credit for that goes not to one administration or one First Minister but to all members of the Scottish Parliament. Of course not all requests or demands can be satisfied but the people have a voice. There are very few parliaments which have that level of transparency. I look forward to watching FMQs instead of participating.

Questioned later as to his statement that the referendum was a once in a generation opportunity he appeared to have strayed from his original position, in light of the referendum result perhaps, when he replied:  “I would say that although the Yes vote didn’t win the referendum,  I think Scotland is in a position to gain very  substantially from that process.

“I do believe that Scotland will become an independent country and I think we are on a pathway which has been  reinforced by events of the last year.”

Asked whether he shared the First Minister in waiting’s view that she will live to see an independent Scotland the First Minister confirmed that he thought that Scotland will be independent within his lifetime, saying: “Oh yes, I don’t have any intention of finding myself in a position where I could be less ambitious than Miss Sturgeon!”

As to whether the former MP will now return to Westminster, as widely predicted, he would not be drawn. This was not really the time or the place. Although today may be Alex Salmond’s last stand as SNP leader and First Minister in the Debating Chamber, he remains an MSP and we will all have to wait his next press conference for any future announcements of note.

Yesterday Bonhams in London sold letters sent by John Ruskin to his wife Effie Gray, who provided the inspiration for Emma Thompson’s new film, for £88,900 which was more than twice the estimated price. The seventy-five signed letters were sold to an anonymous telephone bidder.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) held their annual dinner tonight in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. They listened to a speech by the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alistair Carmichael who brought the business owners up to speed on the UK Government plans for them between now and the General Election.

Tickets were £50 for members and £80 for non-members, but in a curious twist (can someone explain this to us please? – the event is sponsored by Edinburgh College – and has been for four years now.

Photo courtesy of Charmaine Gittens

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A man has been reported missing this evening to Edinburgh Police and they require help in tracing his movements since he was last seen around 8am in the West End.

Jamie Buchanan from Morrison Street has not returned home or made contact with anyone since this time.

Concern is now growing for Jamie’s well being and anyone who can assist in locating him is asked to come forward.

He is described white, around 6ft tall with a slim build and short light brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, jeans and white/mint green hi-top trainers and a snap-back baseball cap.

Inspector Gill Geany said: “Jamie’s disappearance is out of character and we are obviously eager to establish his whereabouts as soon as possible.

“Anyone who believes they have seen him since Wednesday morning is asked to contact police immediately.

“I would also urge Jamie to get in touch with a family member, friend or with police to let us know he is safe and well.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101.

Castlebrae Community High School in Craigmillar was threatened with closure until the Save the Brae group got into full swing in March 2013 and managed to persuade the council to keep it open.

At that date the school roll had fallen over the previous ten years to 198 pupils in 2012/13 and council officers recommended that the remaining pupils were moved to Liberton High School or Portobello High School with suitable transport put in place.

Following the decision to retain what activists regarded as a community asset, the council set out clear measures for assessing whether the school is a success: one of those is improved attainment and achievement, and an increase in community activity in the school.

Recently the school adopted a new uniform, which all pupils were encouraged to wear with pride when the new interim headteacher was appointed for this school year. In 2013 the council set aside additional funds to allow new staff to be recruited and to improve the physical surroundings. Part of the school buildings are closed off to pupils to allow any improvements to be concentrated on areas which are used most.

This year there was a set back in the school’s progress when headteacher Derek Curran was removed from his post due to allegations of domestic abuse. He was arrested and charged in this connection in July this year.

The new headteacher, Norma Prentice who was head at Drummond Community High School in the city centre was given a warm welcome when she took charge this summer. She has a great deal of management experience of a community school and is contracted to run it until summer 2015.

The Edinburgh Reporter went along one Friday to see what goes on. There are classes for pupils as well as adult learners all going on at the same time.

Castlebrae Community High School from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

The council had already gone through a consultation process and had clearly listened to the community. Local politicians Sheila Gilmore and Kezia Dugdale issued a joint statement praising the action group : “Campaigners will be relieved their hard work has paid off. Save the Brae should be congratulated for their tenacity in refusing to back down. Parents and pupils kept up the pressure on the administration despite misleading claims about poor outcomes and educational performance.

“Contrary to some suggestions that few responses were received in response to the consultation, the community came together to make their views known and were able to show Councillors that the school is an integral part of local community life.”

The council adopted an action plan in December 2013 highlighting the positive developments at Castlebrae during the year, and also took some steps to help the school move forward.  The plan was devised by an action group made up of senior education officers, teachers and councillors.

Some of the vocational courses offered at Castlebrae appear to be good grounding for jobs after school. The pupils run a cafe called Red which allows them to plan menus, do the cooking and serving as well as add up the bill for those eating at the lunchtime venue correctly, thus combining arithmetic, English and cooking all in one project.

There is a hairdressing salon where you can make an appointment to have your hair done at bargain prices. Local people also use the fitness suite and the craftworks area or the art department for their own projects. It is true to say that the school roll has fallen a little this year, but all the pupils we met were very polite – and mostly they were wearing their new uniforms! 

The school newsletter, Mrs Prentice’s first, has a wealth of information for those considering Castlebrae for their children next year, and shows much more than our snapshot of one morning can possibly do! Read it here:

http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Castlebrae-Newsletter.pdf

In 2011 HM Inspectorate of Education had examined the school when they reported that in key areas the school was either satisfactory or weak. They believed then that young people were not making enough progress, that the quality of some courses and programmes was not consistently high enough and that better arrangements for pupils transferring from school to work should be made.

The inspectorate visited the school again in May 2013 and found that the pupils were “increasingly taking responsibility for their learning and contributing to the life and work of the school” but that there was still not enough improvement in attainment levels and the school needed to do more to plan its improvement. A further examination will be carried out within 18 months – so presumably that could well be imminent.

The myth of the sad clown is a pervasive and enduring one, but is there any truth to it? Robin Ince, comedian and broadcaster, explores this common perception in a Radio 4 Documentary “Tears of A Clown”. The show is both frank and funny, and provides a bountiful amount of food for thought.

It features the well-known voices of comedians such Stephen Fry, Kenneth Williams, Jo Brand and Josie Long. It also includes hilarious clips from the man who has brought this subject to the fore, Robin Williams.

Williams’ recent suicide rocked the world of comedy, and brought sadness and disbelief to his legions of fans across the world. Robin Ince explores the subject in a sensitive and honest way. He discusses the relationship between comedians and mental health, with input from comedians and academics, biographers and psychotherapists.

Edinburgh is arguably the spiritual home of countless comedians, and every August we share our city with many of these self-confessed clowns. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend time with many comedians over the years, and yes, lots of them exhibit self- doubt, and a need for approval and admiration, but don’t we all? Isn’t that just part of the human condition? On the whole, those I have met have dark moments and yet they also express the pleasure of spending their lives doing a job that they love.

As comedian Josie Long succinctly puts it in the documentary, her comedic performance “doesn’t just come from tragedy, it also comes from a natural, joyful propensity for showing off.”

I asked Robin why he thinks the sad clown myth is so prevalent and persistent. “I think one reason is the idea of dramatic irony – ‘oh look, that human that makes so many people laugh is actually miserable’ – this means that it is a better story for documentary makers – so Kenneth Williams or Tony Hancock are focused on, rather than other comedians who were just jolly, as that is not such a sustainable and alluring narrative. Also, comedians express what lies within them (or at least some of them do), so Simon Amstell can stand on stage and talk of existential angst; most people do not have such access to expressing themselves so specifically.”

A particular highlight of the programme is the no-holds barred honesty of the comedian Jo Brand. She is well known for her sardonic humour, but her experience as a psychiatric nurse means she is uniquely placed to comment on this subject with a greater degree of knowledge and empathy than most stand-ups.

She muses: “I think there must be something in clichés or they wouldn’t be clichés. I think comedians are quite emotionally disturbed people, there is an over representation of comedians who have lost a parent when young.” “These sort of catastrophic events do not bode well for future mental health.” she says, with characteristic dryness.

Jo Brand, for all of her sardonic wit, speaks eloquently and intelligently about both the theory and the human experience of mental health.  She explains that human beings and their mental health is a complex issue, and she considers whether the ‘tears of a clown’ perception, although it holds a grain of truth, falls short of telling the full story.

Robin Ince agrees with this, saying: “There are comedians who have been racked with demons, but there are stand ups who perform well into their eighties, such as Bob Hope and Groucho Marks.”

The show is by no means sad or depressive in tone. Hilarious clips from various comedians, particularly Robin Williams, ensure it is light, entertaining and yet accurate.

Robin Ince ensures there is a balanced, objective view by asking the professionals in the field of mental health to provide their take on the subject. Some recent academic findings found comedians measured high on both depressive and manic facets of personality.

Robin Ince agrees: “The life of a stand up is a self -inflicted bi-polar life of extremes. You can go on stage and have incredible highs, then you’re alone in a hotel. These self- imposed extremes of highs and lows can put you in a mental place that perhaps is not the best place for humans to be.”

Josie Long is particularly honest and insightful in her description of the mental stresses and strains of the life of a stand-up. ”It can be very hard to cope with putting yourself out there to criticism” she admits. The added stress of being funny when, frankly, you are having a bad day must add an extra layer of stress that the majority of us don’t have to deal with. Most of us can retreat into the haven of our family and friends if low mood or other mental health issue occurs. Those in the public eye don’t have this luxury. The tour dates are booked, the audience waits expectantly. The comedian seems to feel, rightly or wrongly, that ‘the show must go on’. Audiences, particularly the discerning Edinburgh audience, can be quick to register their disapproval if they feel their chosen performance does not meet their own subjective, individual view of what is funny. Comedian Barry Cryer admits, “Its brutal, you are naked. If you don’t make them laugh, you’re dead.”

But, to look at it another way, it’s not just performers who experience cognitive dissonance in their everyday lives, we all do to some extent. Does stand -up comedy allow a creative outlet for this common issue? Robin Ince describes the Edinburgh Fringe show ‘Cheaper than Therapy’ where stand ups explore and share their experience of therapy and the idea of stand up as their therapy. He describes stand-up as both ‘the disease and the cure’, and admits to being one of those for whom comedy is in the blood, a way of life, something that he has to do.

The Edinburgh Reporter asked what helps him during these extremes of high and low. “I think what keeps me grounded is a mixture of the needs of my family, especially my son; plus I can be grounded by my fortune that what antagonises me can be expressed nightly.”

Could it be that emotional difficulties and mental health problems are common among the population, but performers are more willing than most to express it?

Robin replies: “We are hopefully approaching a stage where people can be more honest and less embarrassed by mental health issues, the mind and brain is being increasingly understood as is what leads to depression and bipolar etc. but there is a way to go. It does seem that odd childhoods and problems are common amongst artists, but that doesn’t mean such things are exclusive to them”

How much does the media contribute to this common perception? Ince and his guests assert that recent TV documentaries depicting the lives of comedians Frankie Howerd, Kenneth Williams, are less than balanced, protesting “There was hardly any hint that Frankie Howerd was funny”.

Robin Ince freely admits that he is not reaching any definite conclusion on the subject,” I think there are no definite answers, but I will keep pondering and I am always fascinated by any new psychological paper, though sometimes it may reveal more about the psychologist’s presumptions.”

“After doing the documentary, I think comedians are surprisingly mentally healthy. They are often oddballs, and the highs and lows may seem exaggerated by the extreme nature of energetic showing off for two hours a night then silence in a soulless hotel, but the ability to return to the stage night after night, whatever might have happened the previous day, seems to show a more effective carapace than we might imagine.”

The Documentary Tears of a Clown is available as a BBC Radio 4 Podcast at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04n20v4

See robinince.com for details of Robin Ince on Tour in UK, Australia and US.

If you need to talk to someone about anything which is troubling you, then the Samaritans have a 24/7 helpline T 08457 90 90 90 or  click here for details of a number of other organisations who offer help and counselling.

University of Edinburgh spin-out transitions from education to mainstream with the launch of the Skoog 2.0

Having spent the last four years exporting their products to schools worldwide, Edinburgh-based Skoogmusic is tackling the mainstream consumer market.

With around nearly 2,000 Skoogs in schools from the UK to Australia and Hong Kong to the US, the founders of Skoogmusic, Ben Schögler and David Skulina, have created a new product for anyone to enjoy, and have launched it on crowdfunding site indiegogo.com today.

The Skoog, is an innovative, accessible, musical instrument for everyone, and was initially developed to help children with disabilities enjoy and play music. Roughly hand sized, the soft, squeezable Skoog allows users to ‘play’ a wide range of instruments, or sounds that they’ve recorded themselves; and in 2009 it was included by Local Education Authorities and Music Hubs as part of the Special Education Needs and mainstream music curriculum.

“The Skoog is essentially every musical instrument in one small squeezable cube,” said Ben Schögler, Creative Director at Skoogmusic.

“At some point in their life everyone has wanted to make music – whether it be by the traditional route of learning an instrument, which can be hard, or by simply tapping a beat on a worktop. Being musical is in all of us in one form or other.

“We’ve spent the last four years developing the product for the education market, and taking on board feedback from teachers and parents – but at the same time we’ve been working towards creating Skoog 2.0 for mainstream consumers,” he said.

Like the original version, the new Skoog still has the same tactile multi-dimensional control over sound, but the new, smaller Skoog is now multi touch – meaning all five surfaces can be played at once. It’s also wireless, iOS compatible and comes with its own music-making app.

“We’ve really considered what users want from Skoog 2.0,” continued David Skulina, Chief Technology Officer at Skoogmusic.

“From technology early adaptors, to parents and even DJs we’ve asked people what they want to achieve from Skoog – and built it in. We’ve even developed an app for the new Skoog called Mogo, which gives Skoog 2.0 the high quality sound of the original Moog synthesizers – all under your control. The possibilities for creating music, from one little box are endless, and fun.

“To have something that gives a direct connection between movement and sound is exciting. Anyone can experience what it’s like to create music – whether you want to play electronic music, brass, string, woodwind, percussion, or record your own sounds.

“Launching on indiegogo.com will allow us to finance the next stage of the product’s development and continue to ensure that Skoog 2.0 is both at the cutting edge of technology and delivers tactile, immersive musical functionality for everyone – and grow the business,” he said.

Submitted by Natasha Lobley

Today’s society does like to use acronyms in everyday language. In an age of instant communication there seems to be an almost over-bearing laissez-faire attitude to the use of the English language. Perhaps it’s yet another sign of my aging process but I received an email from someone the other day which they ended with TY and their name. Folk of my daughters age do not hesitate to tell me this is ‘shorthand’ for Thank You. Now you may think I’m being old fashioned here but this irritated me greatly. Any appreciation I may have had for this person showing a molecule of gratitude disappeared when I realised they couldn’t be bothered to type the words ‘thank you’.

Among the many banal comments on the social networking site Facebook, the tendency for people to type omg seems to be growing. Some people use it twice as in ‘omg omg I can’t believe what’s happening in the X Factor.’ Now to me  – and I suspect I’m not alone – this may well as well be a foreign language. My younger daughter Michaela tells me omg is an acronym for Oh My God. This appears to be yet another Americanism to have crossed the pond to our shores and is another that irritates me greatly.

Not so long ago when someone told you good news, you might expect to say “congratulations”. This would be the polite way to react if, for an example, someone said that she was going to have a baby. Now it seems not only acceptable but a requirement of young people to shriek ‘Oh My God!!!’

Although the phrase has the word “God” in it, it has now become so frequently used that most people don’t associate it with religion. This means people use it whether they’re religious or not. Now, I’m not a religious person by any manner of means but the use of the word God in everyday language with it not having any religious meaning is another abuse of the English language. For which I blame the Americans…

Add to this the fact that most towns and cities in Scotland now have their Christmas lights adorning their High streets – six weeks before Christmas – and you may appreciate why a part of me yearns for years gone by. I write this rant after a hard day at the office, having consciously avoided heading towards the thronging masses of Edinburgh’s Princes Street. Some people in Leith already have their Christmas trees up and lights blazing in their windows – I kid you not, dear reader. We have not yet reached the halfway point in November. How many of those so eager to scream Happy Christmas from their houses will actually go to church services on Christmas Eve? In fact, how many go to church at all? It seems to me that many people are not celebrating the birth of Christ but the time of the year when they can spend money they haven’t got, scoff food that isn’t particularly good for them and guzzle copious amounts of alcohol which will inevitably lead to unacceptable and in some cases embarrassing behaviour.

They’re encouraged by the relentless advertising of ‘the build-up to Christmas’ on television. Already tonight I’ve seen Tescos telling us it’s time to put our party hearts on, Sainsbury’s saying it’s a time for sharing and the infuriating Coca-Cola advertisement with a big red truck with the picture of Santa emblazoned on the side trundling through town. No mention of Christmas on the Coca-Cola advert – just yet another Americanisation ‘the holidays are coming…’ Someone please tell me I haven’t slept through an entire month and it’s still mid November – not mid December.

I know this will come across as yet another rant from a grumpy old man. And it is. Or as my daughters may put it on Facebook ‘OMG, Dad is in one of his moods again. Hope I don’t c him b4 I go Xmas shopping. LOL’

But if anyone out there has a degree of sympathy for me, I would like to say thank you. Or, in today’s language TY……

Mike ‘The Grinch’ Smith

The name of Jaco Pastorius is legendary in the jazz world; one of the few musicians who can be recognised by their first name alone.  Pastorius was a musical genius who effectively reinvented the playing of bass guitar, bringing the bass from an anonymous role in the rhythm section to the front of the stage.  A multi-instrumentalist, he initially played drums but soon moved to upright acoustic and electric bass as a teenager.  In 1976 he produced an eponymous and ground-breaking first album where he redefined the art of electric bass guitar, combining astonishing technical skill with speed, creativity and musical sensitivity.

Pastorius played bass with the seminal jazz-rock band Weather Report, before recording his second solo album, Word of Mouth, with his own big band.  He was one of the few musicians to cross the jazz-popular music divide with success, making two influential recordings playing bass for Joni Mitchell on her Hejira and Shadows and Light albums.  Unfortunately, the incredibly talented Pastorius also suffered from bipolar disorder.  His mental health and career disintegrated rapidly in his thirties leading to his tragic and premature death at the early age of 35.

Over the last few years, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) has performed a number of highly successful collaborations, supporting internationally acclaimed jazz musicians in celebrating the works of the jazz masters.  The SNJO celebrated its anniversary this year, twenty years after its formation by the internationally recognised Scottish tenor sax player, Tommy Smith.  This November, the SNJO set out on a short tour celebrating the works of Jaco Pastorius with the virtuoso bass player, Laurence Cottle.

Cottle is highly regarded and an ideal musician to celebrate Pastorius, having had a successful career in both jazz and rock worlds, and gaining huge respect for his bass-playing talent and musicianship.  Cottle was born in Swansea and quickly grew into jazz through his family, initially playing trombone in his father’s traditional jazz band, before moving on to electric bass and his own rock bands.

He played in a number of highly respected bands, including Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, and even (whisper it) recording as the session bassist throughout Black Sabbath’s Headless Cross album.

In a highly varied career he also managed to write a number of commercially successful tunes, including the themes from the TV shows Friends and Third Rock From The Sun. Hearing Jaco Pastorius’ first album was a life-changing experience for Cottle.  Cottle later joked that he would have stopped playing bass if he’d realised quite how good the album was.

Cottle actually met the famous bass player as a teenage while studying music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and managed to spend the afternoon and evening with Pastorius, juggling foam balls on Boston Common before Pastorius’ concert, and later listening to a pre-release copy of the Word of Mouth album with Pastorius and friends.  He is a highly talented musician and arranger, and has worked with his own big band on a number of arrangements and performances of Pastorius’ work.

All of this sets the stage for Friday’s first performance by Cottle and the SNJO at Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall.  Tommy Smith brought in Cottle, with virtuoso English jazz flautist Gareth Lockrane and Argentinian maestro percussionist Marcio Doctor, to celebrate the works of Jaco Pastorius with the orchestra.  They played Cottle’s own, new, arrangements of Pastorius’ work, including both Pastorius original compositions, and pieces composed by other jazz musicians but which will be forever associated with Pastorius.

Cottle’s arrangements provided the perfect balance, allowing the SNJO to show their power while simultaneously focusing on Cottle’s (and Pastorius’) bass lines.  Cottle’s five-string bass playing was mesmeric, delivering stunning bass riffs and solos at speed with utmost precision, while clearly enjoying every minute as much as the audience.  Meanwhile, Lockrane provided a number of intricate solos on flute, bass flute and piccolo, and Doctor (unfortunately hidden out of sight at the back of the stage) completed the 1970s jazz-rock theme with a Latin slant to the sound of the jazz orchestra.

Cottle’s arrangements allowed the excellent SNJO band line-up to showcase their own musicianship through a number of stunning solos.  The performance included featured solos from Tommy Smith on tenor in Punk Jazz, and Tom Walsh on trumpet in Scent of a Secret, and a number of individual solos including Alyn Cosker on drums, Paul Harrison on piano, Martin Kershaw and Paul Towndrow on altos, Tom MacNiven on trumpet, and Chris Greive, Phil O’Malley and Keiran McLeod on trombones.

The evening was completed with an electric, almost rock and roll solo from tenor Konrad Wiszniewski during the encore Chicken; a tune made famous by, and synonymous with Pastorius, although written some years earlier by Pee Wee Ellis.  This iconic Pastorius tune brought to end a fantastic evening and a huge success for the SNJO, Tommy Smith, and Laurence Cottle.

Khaled Hosseini’s acclaimed tale of guilt and salvaging redemption through the eyes of Afghan children, The Kite Runner, has had its fair share of adaptations over the years. Adding to a list that’s already bursting at the seams, is Matthew Spangler’s startling stage production. It arrives at Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre in the capable hands of the Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company; soaring as it should.

An Afghan refugee living in America looks back upon his life and the bonds he has made. He looks back to his time in Kabul with his childhood friend; flying kites over the city in competitions and developing a brother-like relationship; that seems to fall apart as easily as it came together.

Scored almost entirely from the stage by percussionist Hanif Khan, the simplistic set up is immersive from the onset. Projections on to curtains and carpets mark location changes from Amir’s grandiose estate and Kabul’s cultured, dusty streets. Ben Turner’s leading performance as an guilt stricken coward is wonderfully diverse, as he steps in and out of his character’s adult and child self. He performs, for the first act, almost entirely alongside Andrei Costin – an actor who descends into the vital, vulnerable role of Hassan competently. Although a supporting character, his part is vital to the first act’s complex, upsetting climax that leaves the audience shaking as the curtains fall for interval. It’s a production rife with personality, in both the bright and morbid sense.
The second act takes on a significantly more rushed pace, moving from The Middle East to the tackily portrayed United States of America with such strong deviation it threatens to take away from the emotional gravitas of the first. But as it develops, it saves itself from being swallowed by hyperbolic romanticism; ending on a teary, charming note.

As the curtain fell on the King’s Theatre to rapturous applause, I heard the woman behind me speak a phrase that can either be interpreted as great praise or a true insult: “I’ve never seen anything quite so faithful to the book.” Spangler’s appreciation of Hosseini’s talent means that it doesn’t veer too far from the source material, instead soaring in its faithful, moving translation to stage. By turns shocking and choking in its emotion, The Kite Runner is a production you will be truly sorry to miss.

The Kite Runner plays at The King’s Theatre until Saturday November 15th. Tickets are available from EdTheatres.com

Veritas on Deanhaugh Street is as authentic an Italian restaurant you will find in Edinburgh. Located just along from the bridge and down a candlelit stair leading to the basement on the main road through Stockbridge. Walking down the stairs with all the candles made me feel very festive – it is coming round so fast this year!

The restaurant interior is really cosy and romantic with rustic style tables, lots of candles and the smell of food drifting from the kitchen. I was there for a special Tasting of Italy evening which they had organised to showcase this different dishes on the menu. Think tempura soft shell crab, crostini with sautéed liver, Neapolitan Octopus soup, fresh linguine, and homemade tiramisu (click to view the menu). We had a tasting menu featuring food and wines all selected to show off head chef Riccardo Verrecchia’s favourite dishes following Roman and Neapolitan traditions and time honoured recipes. We were seated in the private room at the back which has a huge long table and surrounded by wine bottle in racks rather like bookcases.

We had a lovely Prosecco to accompany our aperitifs which were polenta crostini with liver which was lovely, a spicy Calabrian n’duja bruschetta which was perfect with the light Prosecco, crispy fried sage leaves and a chickpea flour foccacia with gorgonzola.

The next course was a suite of seafood starters beginning with an octopus soup which I have not tried before. I was a light and tasty broth with pieces of perfectly cooked octopus that they bring in from the Mediterranean and it tasted amazing. The octopus was also used in a potato salad which was the tastiest potato salad I’ve ever had! The calamari was great – so often you get greasy undercooked chewy squid rings in this country but not at Veritas. They use the whole squid including the tentacles and cook it perfectly. Again the soft shell crab was very well cooked but the batter made it a bit greasier but the flavour of the crab more than made up for this.

Our trio of pasta was next and by this point I was starting to wonder if I could eat all the courses left on the menu. Ravioli filled with Italian sausage and aubergine was a real standout for me. I am a massive ravioli fan but this seriously impressed me – it was deeply flavoured and perfectly cooked. A hint to Riccardo’s interest in traditional Italian recipes was the Spaghetti alla Canella dating from 1800 when cinnamon was used as seasoning. The risotto al Chianti e Rosmario for me was nice and perfectly al dente, but had quite a strong flavour of the herbs rather than anything else. However everyone else finished their plates so it was probably just not to my taste.

No we are not finished yet… There are still the main courses to go! We had a small portion of rolled veal with speck served with a Roman potato croquette and caponata all of which were lovely and I really enjoyed despite being really rather stuffed by this point!

Finally we were on to dessert and I had spotted there was tiramisu and I really wanted to save space for that. The tiramisu was lovely and well balanced but the real intrigue on the menu was the ice cream. Veritas makes their own ice cream each week and our flavour was a special for that night and was inspired by Keller from the French Laundry who felt that his guest Bourdain smoked a lot so he infused his dessert with a cigar. The ice cream was creamy with an aromatic flavour and a really spicy kick – it was surprisingly delicious!

The wines we had were wonderful with the food we were served, but a stand out red was my favourite. For a fantastic Italian meal you should head to Veritas and enjoy, I will definitely be going back soon!

The menu will also feature specials for the week of homemade pasta and desserts plus if the team at Veritas can they will happily make your favourites or suggest alternatives for you to try.

They are open every evening and at the weekends. Dinner for two costs around £50 with wine.

http://www.veritaseh4.co.uk
Twitter @VeritasEH4

Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre could be added to your free WiFi Spots in Edinburgh.

Our Address is 7 Muirhouse Medway EH4 4RW.

Thank you on behalf of the manager & the board.

Submitted by Jim McGinty

Thank you Jim – we have a wifi map over here…… It is needing updated – anybody got any more suggestions for us then we will have an updating session!

The Hibs’ board have responded to the supporters’ group ‘BuyHibs’ who launched their bid to take control of the club at a press conference at the Hibernian Supporters’ Club in Sunnyside yesterday.

In a statement on the club website, Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said: “We are delighted to learn that Pat Stanton is leading and has launched a campaign to encourage supporters to invest in the ownership of the Club and fund its sporting ambitions.

“We look forward to having a positive conversation with BuyHibs so that we can understand the full details of their proposals and how they are intended to both keep the Club safe and take it forward.

“It is well known that the Board has been consulting widely with supporters and is fine tuning its strategy for the future of the Club.

“This will be presented to the existing 1,700 shareholders of the Club at the forthcoming AGM and shared with supporters and the wider Hibernian family.

“This is a genuinely exciting period of change at the Club and the Board has consulted widely and will continue to listen to all contributions to make sure that all supporters are involved.”

Hurry to get your tickets as this show is usually a sell-out! This year the annual Edinburgh Gang Show will be not only the biggest of its kind in the world but also the biggest production to be staged on the King’s Theatre. With over 330 young people from the Scouting and Girlguiding movements, it will be a busy and exciting show!

Running from the 18^th-22^nd November at the King’s Theatre, the Edinburgh Gang Show includes slick song and dance numbers from Michael Jackson to Disney’s Frozen and many more, as well as topical comedy sketches.

Andy Johnston, the Edinburgh Gang Show Director said;

‘This is my 12^th year as Director and it features the largest cast ever assembled for an Edinburgh Gang Show. Over 330 young people will get to experience the amazing buzz that you only get when the houselights go down at the start of a Gang Show and that almighty roar resounds around the auditorium.

It is a very, very special show, one which is forward looking, while at the same time keeping in line with the format that was created 82 years ago by Ralph Reader. The show is a reflection on what has happened throughout year and we strive to make sure there really is something for everyone.’

It will be a special occasion for the youngest female cast, the Brownies, as the section turned 100 years old in 2014! In celebration there will be a special Big Brownie Birthday number with 170 Brownies, in two casts, 70 more than usual! This party number includes songs from Sister Act and Hannah Montana.

This modern, fast paced and funny production is not a show about Scouting and Girlguiding it is a performance by those in Scouting and Girlguiding. It allows these young people the chance to develop their performance skills in a professional environment and continue to do something that they clearly enjoy and love.

Edinburgh Gang Show 2014

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh

Tue 18 to Sat 22 November

Evenings 7.00pm

Saturday matinee 2.15pm (Audio described & BSL interpreted)

0131 529 6000

0131 529 6005 (Group bookings)

www.edtheatres.com/gangshow

Tickets from £10.00

The new supporters’ group BuyHibs have outlined their vision for the future of the club.

BuyHibs has three key aims; to create an ownership model that provides the resources to invest in the team and drive performance on the pitch, for all Hibernian supporters to be inspired and included in our community ethos, joining together to make Easter Road a fortress and to honour Sir Tom and fulfil his pledge to return Hibs to the community by facilitating a dignified change in our ownership model.

In addition, the group plan to ask the current owners – Sir Tom Farmer and Rod Petrie – to move the assets of Hibernian Football Club into a Community Interest Company.

These assets include the Hibernian Football Club Ltd, Easter Road Stadium and the Hibernian Training Centre (known as “East Mains”)

This would mean a Community Interest Company (CIC) which is a special type of limited company that exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders.

A CIC has three special requirements:

•It must include a community interest statement explaining the company’s business plans

•It creates an “asset lock” which creates a legally binding statement that ensures the company’s assets will only be used to further its social objectives

•It sets a limit on the amount of money that can be paid to shareholders

The benefits for Hibs would involve moving the assets of Hibernian Football Club into a Community Interest Company which would offer three key benefits for the club, namely the community interest statement would allow us to clearly restate that we are a football club, the “asset lock” would ensure that Hibs, Easter Road and the Hibernian Training Centre could not be used for anything outwith the community interest statement and a limit would be set on any dividend payments (BuyHibs.org would propose a limit of 10%)

BuyHibs are confident that the Community Interest Company approach offers the most stable future

for Hibs. But we also appreciate that such a move will require significant change to the ownership at Hibernian Football Club.

The group hope to work closely with the current owners to ensure the smoothest possible transition.

BuyHibs propose a new ownership model with three key elements:

•Sir Tom Farmer to retain a 26% interest as a golden share

•BuyHibs – with the backing of Hibs supporters – and Sir Tom Farmer to own a majority (ie over 50%) of Hibs

•Allow investors to make an investment and bring their own expertise and experience to the board of Hibernian Football Club

The final percentages owned by both BuyHibs and additional investors are unknown – they’d be dependent on both interest from investors and the backing Hibs fans give BuyHibs.

BuyHibs is not advocating 100% fan ownership of Hibernian Football Club and we are not attempting to “force” Sir Tom Farmer out of the club.

If Sir Tom Farmer did want to give up all interest in Hibs, BuyHibs would be open to purchasing his remaining shares in the future.

They believe that a model of 51% fan ownership and 49% business ownership – what’s often known as the “German model” – is the most attractive method of fan ownership for Hibs.

In addition, BuyHibs aims to be a pragmatic organisation with final percentages based on what works in practice rather than what is said to work in theory.

They believe that previous discussions of ownership at Hibernian Football Club have lacked transparency. As an organisation created for and by fans we want to change that.

Therefore we publicly launched BuyHibs at the same time as approaching the current owners with four key questions:

•Are the current owners willing to transfer the assets of Hibernian Football Club into a Community Interest Company?

•If so, when would they propose to do this?

•Will the current owners actively support the community ownership model that BuyHibs are proposing?

•How much do they value the assets of Hibernian Football Club?

At present BuyHibs don’t have a timescale for the changes they are proposing. However They believe that it is imperative for these changes to happen as soon as possible to allow for fresh investment in Hibs and to create an ownership model that allows as many fans as possible to reconnect with the club.

BuyHibs insist that they can only succeed with input from Hibernian supporters and that is why they are asking fans to pledge money on a monthly basis. The funds raised will be used to buy shares in the new Community Interest Company.

The Hibs fans will then own a percentage in Hibs. By maintaining their pledge each month they will have an interest in the share of the ownership, with voting rights following a one member, one vote structure.

The ownership and future direction of Hibernian Football Club has been the subject of much discussion and much heated debate in recent months.

They understand that many fans remain sceptical of the various ownership models that have been proposed, but believe the structure proposed by BuyHibs is the best way of protecting Easter Road Stadium, the Hibernian Training Centre as well as renewing Hibs as a force in Scottish football.

A newly formed fans group called BuyHibs has announced its intention to unite fans with the aim of buying Hibernian FC.

The group, which will headed by Hibernian legend Pat Stanton, is welcomed by the Hibernian Supporters Association, the Formers Players Association and the Hibernian Shareholders Association who will be meeting with their members to discuss the best way to support the campaign.

The announcement follows open meetings with supporters and a comprehensive fan survey of over 4000 supporters carried out by Supporters Direct Scotland.

The survey revealed that 84% of supporters believed that it is time to look at fan ownership options and to seek a change of direction in the ownership of the club. 80% also stated that they believed Easter Road should be safeguarded as the future of the club and any change to that would require fan approval. 68% said that they would be willing to join a membership scheme to provide additional income for the club

The BuyHibs campaign has also launched new website – www.buyhibs.org – where supporters can find out more about the group’s proposals and pledge financial support. A Twitter presence has also been created – @buyhibs – and Facebook – BuyHibs – to allow information to be shared and discussion to happen.

Pat Stanton said: “The BuyHibs campaign has the ultimate aim of buying our club. We are in the fortunate position that the motivation for BuyHibs has not been generated from an emergency situation through a threatened insolvency like supporters of other clubs have been faced with. We want to be in a position where we can make a positive contribution to the long term position of our club and to be ready to buy the club when the opportunity arises. We are asking fans to pledge to provide funds which will allow BuyHibs to drive positive change, and to give an indication of what size of stake is achievable. We are open to work with all Hibernian minded people and groups who share the same goal.

“As a first step, we call on Sir Tom Farmer and Rod Petrie to meet with us to find and promote a positive and sustainable change for the betterment of Hibernian and to provide Sir Tom with a clear and deserved exit from the club he has backed for many years.”

Director of the BuyHibs campaign, Neil Wheelan said: “The club are failing on and off the park and the need for change has never been greater; the club needs a new direction with fresh drive and investment coming into the club. The potential within the Hibernian fanbase is enormous and this must be used to take the club forward.”

“The club needs sweeping changes to bring a new and more positive outlook and the required fresh investment. It would appear that the current custodians have no desire to invest to move the club forward so we call on Sir Tom Farmer to remain true to his word and pass the Football Club, Easter Road Stadium and the East Main Training Academy into a community backed vehicle that safeguards the future of all assets. In doing this it will allow Sir Tom Farmer to leave a legacy for the work that has been done during his time as custodian.”

“Greater fan involvement is a must as no one cares about their clubs as much as the supporters do. There also needs to be greater transparency and a greater focus on football. We want the Hibernian support to unite behind the drive to bring positive change and to get our club back where it should be. That will mean having a greater involvement and control over the running of our club. It is our club and our responsibility.”

Andrew Jenkin, of Supporters Direct Scotland added: “Supporters are the heart and soul of any football club and the Buy Hibs campaign shows Hibernian have many passionate, knowledgeable and highly skilled supporters who would like to be further involved in the running of the club. Fan owned clubs are shown to have stronger ties with their communities, attract more sponsorship and encourage greater match day spending. Supporters Direct Scotland are pleased to support and assist the Buy Hibs campaign which potentially offers supporters a greater role in governance through democratic processes”.

The First Minister the Rt Hon Alex Salmond called what may be his penultimate press conference in the position this morning at Bute House to give the press two pieces of good news.

Accompanied by the Chief Commercial Officer of Flybe, Paul Simmons, the First Minister heralded the reinstatement of a Flybe base in Aberdeen next year where 100 direct jobs will be created, and confirmed that Scotland is firmly out of recession by announcing the unemployment figures.

When announcing any airline related news, the First Minister takes the opportunity to raise the matter of Air Passenger Duty, claiming this morning that APD is responsible for the latest private failure of Prestwick Airport.

The First Minister said: “APD in the short term is a 100% tax. For long haul international flights it is a smaller percentage of the fare, so for domestic flights it is iniquitous. It is a priority for the Scottish Government that this is devolved.”

The figures published by the Office for National Statistics show a drop in the number of people unemployed of 50,000 in the last year, but also show an increase in employment over the period July to September 2014.

Alex Salmond was quick to point out that employment among women has risen by 45,000 and the Scottish unemployment figure among women is less than that south of the border. Here the female unemployment rate stands at 4.8% whereas the UK rate is 5.7%.

The young are also among those sectors who enjoy a higher rate of employment and the First Minister said this was largely down to the Government policy of Modern Apprenticeships.

They show that Scotland has the highest employment and economic activity rates and lowest unemployment rate of the 4 nations of the UK.

Scotland’s employment rate of 73.8 per cent is higher than the UK rate of 73.0 per cent, whilst Scotland’s unemployment rate of 5.9 per cent is lower than the equivalent UK rate of 6.0 per cent.

Commenting on the figures First Minister Alex Salmond said:

“Scotland is outperforming the UK on employment, unemployment and inactivity rates, which demonstrates the commitment of the Scottish Government in supporting our economy.

“I am particularly pleased to see the progress we are making on narrowing the gender gap.

“The figures show that despite the global recession the Scottish economy continues to strengthen with overall employment now 43,000 higher than the 3-month period April-June 2007, with female employment 66,000 higher over the same period.

“With discussion on further powers for the Scottish Parliament now taking place it is essential that we have the full tools we need to support employment opportunities for everyone in Scotland.”

Music Box @ Colinton Library – Inaugural Event: An audience with Benny Tetteh-Lartey. A unique chance to meet and listen to the award-winning singer-songwriter and Afro-Scot Beat pioneer, following on his community appearances for Black History Month. See some of the instruments Benny has created himself, hear some acoustic variations and find out how Benny’s background has informed his music and songwriting. Refreshments provided! 4-5pm, Colinton Library, 14 Thorburn Road. Free and unticketed.

An Evening with Graeme Macrae Burnet and Michael J Malone: two distinguished Scottish writers talk about the influence on their work of France, its people, its history and its culture. Graeme is the author of The Disappearance of Adele Bedeau ‘a captivating psychological thriller’ (The Herald) in the tradition of Georges Simenon. Michael co-authored The Guillotine Choice with Bashir Saoudi, the son of the book’s subject Kaci Mohand Saoudi, who was sent from French Algeria to Devil’s Island for a crime he did not commit. 6.30pm, Golden Hare Books, 68 St Stephen Street. Read The Edinburgh Reporter’s article on the launch of The Guillotine Choice earlier this year here.

Metre by Meter: Exploring Poetry in the Trenches. Learn about Siegfried Sassoon, Rupert Brooke and Wilfred Owen and discuss some of their World War One poetry. 6.30-7.30pm, Currie Library, 210 Lanark Road. Free: to book a place please call 0131 529 5609 or call into the library.

Play Poland: New Horizons and New Europe Film Sales. Special screenings of Trash, Fragmenty, Incredibly Flexible Man, Island, Moonshine, The Big Leap and Game. 6.30pm, Meow Photography Studios, 86-92 Causewayside. Free.  Shown as part of Play Poland 2014 Film Festival.

The British Heart Foundation Collection: Piershill Library will be collecting clothes, bric a brac, toys, books, etc for this charity today. If you need a bag, just ask in the library. Piershill Library, 30 Piersfield Terrace.

Guided Tour of the National Library: guided tour of the building and an introduction to the Library’s collections and history. 10.30am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Booking essential as numbers are limited: call 0131 623 3734 or book online. Please inform the library of any special access requirements.

Health In Mind Coffee Morning: are you 65+? Want to find out what’s going on in your local community? Pop in and join others for a cup of tea and a chat. 10.30am-12 noon today and every Wednesday, Community Room 1 (upstairs, lift available), Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road

Leaving It All: Scottish soldiers’ wills and appeals against military service. A remarkable archive of wills of Scottish soldiers is held by National Records Scotland. Dr Tristram Clarke led the project to catalogue the surviving wills; personal stories can also be found in the records of the Military Appeals Tribunals in NRS. Dr Clarke’s talk will focus on what these often poignant documents can tells us about the lives of individual men and their families during the Great War. 2-3pm, General Register House, 2 Princes Street. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite. Part of Previously….Scotland’s History Festival.

Edinburgh Napier University Undergraduate Webchat: if you are a UK student thinking about studying with Napier, this is the chat for you! Join in online and speak to staff and other prospective students – about courses, the UCAS process and even about living in Edinburgh. 4-6pm; please register here. For more information contact [email protected].

Bookbug: 30 minutes of rhymes and songs for very young children. 10.30-11.15am, Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road.

Tollcross Community Council: monthly meeting. Come along and share your views! The Community Council addresses issues such as litter, street cleaning, graffiti, road repairs, recycling, policing matters, changes to social care arrangements, planning applications and new licensing proposals. 6.45-8.45pm, Tolcross Community Centre, Fountainbridge. More information here.

Make It: an informal get together for people interested in any form of hand crafting, be it sewing, card-making, knitting, patchwork, quilting, crochet…Drop  in, swap hints and tips, learn something new or just enjoy a chat and a cup of tea with like-minded people. If you can carry it in, you can bring it! 6.30-7.45pm tonight and every Wednesday, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road.

Everyone Kens Everyone: a showcase of documentary-style photographs taken of local people from Muirhouse over a 3-4 year period. Borja Prada’s sensitive portrayal is a celebration of the diverse community that lives in the area. Opening 4.30pm today, then 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 10am-12 noon Saturdays, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Road. Call 0131 315 2151 for more information.

Grow Your Own Garden Workshops. A course of six-structured ‘grow your own’ workshops for beginners. Workshop 2: Getting Growing – sowing seeds and creating new plants from cuttings, bulbs and other plant parts. For ages 16+. 6-8pm tonight or 10am-12 noon on Saturday 15th November (session is repeated, so you should attend one or the other),  North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Road. Free, no booking required, but you are requested to stay for the whole two hour session, as the workshops are structured. Creche is available for the Wednesday evening workshops, but must be booked in advance. Call 0131 315 2151 for more information.

Lunchtime Concert: singers from Edinburgh Napier University accompanied by pianist Chris Harding. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Edinburgh Newman Circle: Michael TRB Turnball, lecturer and author (including Scotland: The Facts, and a biography of Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray) will speak on St Andrew – Myth, Legend and Reality. 7.30pm, St Catherine’s Convent, Lauriston Gardens. For more information contact Dan Cronin on 0131 667 5270 or [email protected]. All welcome.

Edinburgh College needs new board members

Concert – with added Rankin

Register your primary school child now for 2015

The Traverse Theatre needs your Skye Terrier! 

Summerhall Christmas Market

New, high calibre Board of Management members are being sought for one of Scotland’s leading colleges. Edinburgh College is advertising for new members of its Board of Management. The positions offer talented individuals a great opportunity to shape the strategic direction and management of Edinburgh College and make a real impact on young people’s lives.

These positions are some of the first board-level opportunities to have arisen since the merger of colleges across Scotland.  As part of a government driven process following regionalisation, all colleges in Scotland must carry out open recruitment to appoint non-executive members to their boards. Edinburgh College is looking for a range of candidates that can meet its criteria.

Adverts have been placed in national publications looking for the ideal candidate. All candidates should have the ability to contribute to a dynamic Board, dealing with complex issues and promoting the highest standards of governance, following a period of considerable change in the college sector.

The College is aligned to Scottish Government priorities around a wide range of topics, including creative industries; energy; financial and business services; food and drink; life sciences; and sustainable tourism and it is hoped that a number of applicants would be able to help inform the college’s on-going strategy and development on these topics.

The Edinburgh College Board of Management particularly welcomes applications from groups currently under-represented on Scotland’s public bodies, such as women, disabled people and people aged under 50. The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Monday, 17 November 2014.

Commenting on the opportunity, Ian McKay, Chair of the Board of Edinburgh College, said:  “Being an Edinburgh College board member is a truly rewarding experience. The college sector faces a wide range of challenges following a period of significant change, and a dynamic, high calibre team will give the college the direction it needs at this critical time.

“Our priority is ensuring a high quality experience for our current and future students, while also meeting the needs of communities and businesses across the region. The college is an integral part of the communities we serve and we would like talented people from communities and businesses across the region to be part of our Board. We are offering a unique opportunity to shape the lives of thousands of young people and help drive the college’s strategic direction.  I hope that a wide selection of talented candidates will consider applying.”

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Royal Blind will host a magical evening of festive music in partnership with Music Therapy charity Nordoff Robins Scotland. The concert includes performances from the Edinburgh Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra, a variety of classical & folk musicians and a reading from Ian Rankin, OBE. The event takes place on Tuesday 2 December 2014 from 7pm at St Mark’s Church, Edinburgh. Tickets can be booked online or by phoning 0131 229 1456.

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There are only two days left until Registration Week closes for prospective primary school children this week.

If a child is due to start P1 in August 2015, parents/carers must register their child this week.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said parents should register their child at their local catchment school rather than expecting to get them into another school in a different part of the city.

He said: “I’d encourage everyone to register their child at their local school and support their local community. We want to see thriving local schools at the heart of the community, so instead of making an out of catchment request I’d encourage parents to work with their local school.

“Our rising primary school rolls, with the number of pupils expected to peak at nearly 31,000 by 2019, mean there are fewer spaces available at schools across the city.

“Last week head teachers opened their schools up so parents were able to see first hand the benefits of sending their children to their local school – not just for the families involved but for the community where they live.

“The increase in pupils and pressures on classroom spaces will be with us for many years and parents have an important role to play in helping us tackle this issue by choosing to send their child to their local school.”

Registration has to be in person and everyone should contact their local school to find out what time they can register.

When deciding the school parents want their child to attend, there are a number of important points that need to be taken into account:

• Placements are allocated to children based on their residence at the time of allocation. All parents must provide proof of residency for a catchment place when they register their child for school.
• A child is only entitled to a place in the primary school where they attend nursery if they live in the catchment area.
• Catchment places will only be guaranteed to children living in a primary school catchment by 28 February 2015.  Where a denominational Roman Catholic school is oversubscribed, priority will be given to catchment baptised Roman Catholics.
• If a placing request is successful for one child, this does not guarantee that requests for younger children will be successful.  This could mean that younger children would attend a different school to their older siblings.

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The Traverse Theatre need your dog! Their winter play by Iain Finlay MacLeod features a Skye terrier called Max, so if you have a four legged friend they could use then get in touch with them.

They need a photo of your dog by Friday of this week when their Artistic Director, Orla O’Loughlin will choose the one they want. Actually the dog will not be treading the boards, just a portrait of your pet. Tweet the photos to The Traverse on Twitter @traversetheatre tagging your tweet #FindMax or send them by Facebook.

After the show finishes on Christmas Eve you will get the portrait to keep.

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Summerhall Christmas Market returns on 14 December 2014 with a bumper crop of traders from across Edinburgh and beyond. The market will take over the first floor of the old Veterinary College with over fifty traders selling locally sourced and fairtrade food, drink, crafts and gift ideas. Traders range from familiar Edinburgh companies to artists and makers who are based in studio spaces, or residents at Summerhall.

Pop down to shop a huge range of bespoke furniture, skincare, craft beer, gin, soft furnishings, art prints, knitwear, vintage clothes, organic chocolate, textiles, jewellery, handicrafts, baby clothes and toys, stationery – you name it – it’ll be there as part of the event with a low carbon footprint but very high quality local fayre.

Summerhall based community choir the Summerhall Singers will be on hand with carols and Christmas songs over lunchtime and to warm those cockles the Gluhwein will be flowing.

New to Summerhall – throughout December the arts hub will be selling beautiful ethically sourced Christmas trees in the courtyard. The Christmas tree forest will be open all day on Sunday 14.

Alongside the market will be the familiar blend of drop-in activities for families and kids in the Yellow Room and fresh yummy food served up at the Royal Dick Pub. Street food vendors Jones and Sons BBQ, Harajuku Kitchen, The Big Blu and Ninja Buns will take over the courtyard – alongside a couple of hand warming braziers.

Shoppers are invited to skip away from the high street and feel at home in Edinburgh’s creative village. Join us to sort your Christmas shopping all under one roof.

£2 admission. Tickets on the door.

Following the huge success and popularity of Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook over the last 8 years, he is delighted to announce they will be returning once again and this time taking to the road for 5 shows in Aberdeen, Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Teemed with jovial anecdotes, modern and traditional Christmas music and exquisite musicianship that will tug at ones heartstrings, it is indeed “the perfect way to fill up your festive fuel tank” The Scotsman. Phil will be joined by some of the finest musicians on the Scottish folk scene including: Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson, John McCusker, Kris Drever, Ian Carr and Kevin McGuire along with a special guest Brass Band.

What can you say about Phil Cunningham, a superb innovative instrumentalist, with not simply the fastest fingers in the West but some of the most sensitive ones, too! He is fondly remembered from his days with Silly Wizard and Relativity and as witty musical partner of the great Shetland fiddler, Aly Bain. Also widely recognised from his television and radio presenting, he has been involved in some of the seminal programmes that have enabled Scottish music to walk tall, a true ambassador for traditional music. Also a humourist, his breezy banter can have a 2000-seat hall falling about in the aisles.

Phil often keeps high company and no less is true for this year’s special Christmas gathering. A powerful mix of lead vocalists include the inimitable Eddi Reader, who has celebrated a career spanning over 3 decades and has effortlessly developed into one of popular music’s most thrilling and affecting performers. With anMBE for outstanding contributions to the arts, 3 BRIT awards, a #1 single and 8 critically acclaimed solo albums, Eddi is considered to be “one of Scotland’s greatest national treasures” The Scotsman. Karen Matheson OBE, is recognized the world over as the haunting lead vocalist of Celtic supergroup, Capercaillieand one of “the finest Gaelic singers alive today”Billboard Magazine. Kris Drever, the young Orcadian singer and guitarist is part of the backbone of today’s contemporary roots scene and is widely admired as a solo artist, collaborator, and member of folk superstars,Lau. Also joining Phil are multi-instrumentalist, John McCusker, one of Scotland’s most accomplished and versatile musicians in any genre who has worked with artists as diverse as Mark Knopfler, Paul Weller and Patti Smith, Teenage Fanclub and Billy Connolly; Ian Carr, who is known for his original and eclectic approach to traditional music guitar and has established an instantly recognisable sound that has influenced countless musicians and Kevin McGuire who is a highly sought after double bassist who has performed with the likes of Karine Polwart and Kate Rusby. Make sure to oil your vocal chords and bring the family!

Thursday 18 December

Glasgow City Hall (Grand Hall), Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1NQ

Tel 0141 353 8000 Show 7.30pm Tickets £21

www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

Friday 19 and Saturday 20 December

Queen’s Hall, 85-89 Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9JG

Tel. 0131 668 2019  Show 7.30pm Tickets £22.50

www.thequeenshall.net

Sunday 21 December

Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5HZ

Tel 01738 621031 Show 8pm Tickets £22

www.horsecross.co.uk

Monday 22 December

Aberdeen Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1QS

Tel 01224 632080 / 01224 641122  Show 7.30pm Tickets £22  www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

For more information on some of the artists involved with the 2014 Christmas Concerts, please visit:-www.philcunningham.com  www.eddireader.co.uk

http://www.karenmatheson.com/www.johnmccusker.co.uk  www.krisdrever.com

Look out for the Wojtek the Bear bus which was unveiled this afternoon by the Lord Provost the Rt Hon Donald Wilson and which is currently on the number 26 bus route today.

The Wojtek story is a fascinating one, as he really was a part of the Polish Army. Rescued when only a cub in 1942 in Persia he was brought up by members of Polish II Corps and then fought alongside Allied Forces in the Italian campaign, notably at the Battle of Monte Cassino. Unbelievable as this tale sounds, it is true and there is now a trust set up to raise funds for the statue in his honour planned for Princes Street Gardens. Wojtek ended his days in Edinburgh Zoo in 1963.

The Edinburgh Reporter NEWS – Wojtek the Bear from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

The statue will cost around £300,000 and already over £200,000 of that sum has been raised. Today on Armistice Day and Polish Independence Day the bus was unveiled in Festival Square. Lothian Bus number 889 has been donated for 12 months by Lothian Buses and will run on a variety of routes across the city.

Planning permission has already been granted by the council for the statue to be put up in the area of Princes Street near the Ross Bandstand.

Lothian Buses said that part of the reason for their sponsorship is that they have an international work force. Over the last 10 years Lothian Buses have had a steady recruitment of Polish people coming to Edinburgh to start new lives with their families.

The company currently employs around 100 Polish employees, some who have been working there for a decade, including Lukasz Bieda, who was driving the Wojtek bus today.  Lukasz is also the originator and project manager of the Wojtek bus project.

Ann Faulds, Chair Lothian Buses, said:

“We are delighted to be supporting the Wojtek Memorial Trust.  The story of Wojtek the Bear is close the hearts of many of our Polish employees and the wider Polish Edinburgh community.  The bus looks fantastic, is sure to be very popular with our passengers and I’m confident that it will play a big part in further raising the profile of the ongoing fundraising drive.”

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop added:

“Wojtek the Soldier Bear symbolises the strong relationship between Scotland and Poland and our historic links. The Scottish Government recognises the huge contribution Polish immigrants make to Scottish life – from the Poles who fought alongside us, and alongside Wojtek, in World War Two, to more recent arrivals.

“I want young Scots, including those from Polish families, to know the story of Wojtek the Soldier Bear, and I’m delighted that this bus will bring the story alive to many people across Edinburgh.”

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault which happened around 4.15pm on Sunday 9th November in Drum Street.

A man was driving north in his Audi estate car when he became aware of a silver Volkswagen Golf driving close behind him.

The man then pulled his vehicle in allowing the car behind to overtake.

A short time later, whilst queuing in traffic outside Javits takeway, the occupants of the Golf exited and approached the Audi.

At this time, the driver also exited his car and the three men had a brief conversation before the victim was struck to the face.

Both suspects then entered their car and drove off from the area.

The victim suffered a serious facial injury and is currently being treated at St John’s Hospital.

Officers are currently following a positive line of enquiry in relation to this attack. However, anyone with information that can assist with their investigation is asked to come forward.

Detective Constable John McShane said: “The victim has suffered a painful injury to his face, which requires medical attention and we are eager to hear from anyone who was in the area and witnessed this assault take place.

“Similarly, anyone with any further information relevant to this ongoing enquiry is also asked to contact police immediately.”

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

Armistice Day: Prayer and Meditation. The Memorial Chapel will be open for prayer and meditation. 10.45-11.15am, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Lothian Road.

TOGETHER Remembrance Event: marking the eleventh day of the eleventh month with a musical reflection held jointly with City Centre partner churches St John’s Episcopal and St Cuthbert’s.  There will be readings, responses, and new music composed especially for this occasion. 7.30-8.30pm, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, George Street. All welcome.

Words and Music for Armistice Day: music and poetry by, and dedicated to, those who fell in World War One, including music by Elgar, Butterworth and composers whose careers were cut short by war. Simon Nieminski (organ) and Monica Toll (soprano). Words read by Fr Jamie Boyle. 7.30pm, St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, York Place. Free: retiring collection.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Alanna Knight: The Balmoral Incident. Edinburgh-based crime writer Alanna Knight launches the latest novel in her Rose McQuinn series. As Rose travels with her niece Mabel and trusty dog Vane to stay with her friend Olive on the Balmoral Estate, little does she know that within 48 hours of her arrival, death will have visited the great castle. 6.30pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets are available from Blackwell’s front desk, by calling 0131 622 8218 or emailing [email protected].

Remembrance Day Talk: Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) during the First World War. Yvonne McEwen discusses this much-neglected story. Based on ground-breaking original research, this talk examines the long-held, uncritical and overly-romanticised views of First World War nursing and addresses the professional, personal and political consequences that arose for nurses in the pivotal period 1914-18. The talk will include a Q & A session and the launch and signing of Yvonne’s new book In The Company Of Nurses. 6-7.30pm, The Symposium Hall, The Royal College of Surgeons, Hill Square. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite. Part of Previously….Scotland’s History Festival.

Bookbug Rhymetime: rhymes and songs for the under 3s. 10.30-11.ooam or 11.30am-12 noon, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road.  Free, no booking required.

War Poets Collection: Exhibition Guided Tours. Edinburgh Napier University’s Craiglockhart campus has a fascinating past. It opened as a hydropathic establishment in 1880 but was requisitioned during the First World War as a hospital for shell-shocked officers; Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon famously met here. From the 1920s the building became home to the Convent of the Sacred Heart and Craiglockhart College of Education. The university houses a small special collection of material relating to the history of Craiglockhart. Catherine Walker will provide a guided visit and talk about the many interesting characters who have had links with Craiglockhart over the years. The exhibition is open to the public and all are welcome to visit. Tours will take place 11am-12 noon and 2-3pm today and on 13th, 19th, 21st, 25th and  28th November, Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, Glenlockhart Road. Free but please register by calling 0131 455 4260 or emailing [email protected]. Part of Previously….Scotland’s History Festival.

Baby Cafe: enjoy coffee and a chat, with toys, books and games for babies and toddlers. 11am-12 noon today and every Tuesday, Granton Library, Wardieburn Terrace.

ESOL Chatabout Reading Group (intermediate level): a great opportunity for adults to learn English as a second language. Free, informal and relaxed monthly sessions – practice your English and share your ideas about the book the group is reading; build your confidence in reading, speaking and understanding the language. 10-11am, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street. To find out more please contact [email protected] or call 0131 529 5617. Next meeting Tuesday 9th December 2014.

Lunchtime Concert: Music Students from the University of Edinburgh. 1.10pm, Reid Concert Hall, University of Edinburgh, Bristo Square. Free and unticketed.

Pat Dishon: The Delaneys of Edinburgh. Pat will talk about researching and writing her book, set in St Patrick’s Church in the Cowgate during the ‘Little Ireland’ period in the 19th century. 7pm, Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue. All welcome.

Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links: autumn meeting. Dr Chris Wigglesworth will talk about The Geology of The Meadows. 7.30pm, The German Church, Laudate House, 1 Chalmers Crescent. All welcome – bring your questions and ideas! More information about the Friends and their activities here.

Lee Miller’s Transgressive Eroticism: Patricia Allmer, Chancellor’s Fellow at Edinburgh College of Art, will focus on the engagement of the American photographer Lee Miller with the writings of the Marquis de Sade. The talk will explore her Sadean work, both as model and photographer, in relation to the Sadean philosophies of her Parisian avant-garde peers, such as the American writer and alleged cannibal William Seabrook, and the anti-Surrealist group around Georges Bataille’s publication Documents. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Level Up: Reading XP – reading and gaming teen group for boys aged 11-14. 6-7pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North. For reading list click here.

North Edinburgh Community Circle: if you would like to feel more connected, offer support to other people, have people to turn to when life gets tough, build friendships with people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, or get a fresh perspective on things, come along to the Community Circle. The group shares a meal at the start of the meeting; this is free but any contributions of food to share are welcome. 5.30-8pm today and the second Tuesday of every month, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Road. For more information contact Linda at Edinburgh Development Group on 0131 476 0522.

Imagination Mill: a new exhibition of work by Hannah Botma (illustrator), Caroline Halliwell (illustrator), Tess Barnard (printmaker/fine artist) and Katie Forrester (illustrator), a group who met at Edinburgh College of Art and are all recent graduates or current postgraduates. Explore their works of fictional vision and be inspired to use your own individual ‘imagination mill’. Opening 5.30-7.30pm tonight, then 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 10am-12 noon Saturdays, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Road. Call 0131 315 2151 for more information.

Christmas Carol Singing Sessions: fancy a wee sing?  Come along to these sessions, which will be held every Tuesday in November, working towards singing at the Christmas Craft Fair on 6th December. 12.30-1pm, Craigmillar Community Arts, 58 Newcraighall Road. No booking necessary – speak to Mike or Tricia if interested.

Free pick up for rubbish on Wednesday

Taekwondo

New Waitrose store

Musselburgh Racecourse to undergo improvements

The Gang Show

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Over 600 athletes from seventeen nations are converging on the capital this weekend – including Australia, Pakistan, Canada, Kenya, Malaysia, Ghana, India and Malta.

Athletes competing on the day include Jade Jones from Wales, Lutalo Muhammed from England, Laura Burns from Northern Ireland plus a number of Scottish players; Asia Bailey, Kimberley Clarke, Damon Sansum and Jordyn Smith, with this great selection of athletes it’s going to be a great 2 days.

Taekwondo Scotland Chairman Dr Bill Darlington said: “There is astonishing quality right across our squad and I’m confident we’ll be amongst the medals.”

Event Director David Bailey added: “The calibre of fighters will result in a great show. With Olympic medallists like Jade Jones and Lutalo Muhammad coming, there’s a lot of class. It’s going to be a spectacular event.”

Tickets
Daily spectator tickets – £10 (adults) and £6 (children under 16) – can be purchased in advance through the Taekwondo Scotland website at www.taekwondoscotland.org or at Meadowbank on the day of the event.

For more information, visit www.taekwondoscotland.org we look forward to seeing you there.

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In this month’s planning list there is an application for Listed Building Consent for three new bronze plaques to be installed on the pavement in front of the War Memorial at The City Chambers on the High Street, which we will no doubt see in place soon. Out at Corstorphine on St John’s Road there are plans for a major development of a food retail store which will involve demolition of the existing shops which will then be replaced by a cafe, parking and landscaping. This is the site of the former Woolworths store, although there are a couple of other shops lying adjacent to it.

It is intended to use the site for a Waitrose store which willl provide 22,000 square feet of sales space on the ground floor, 11,000 square feet of staff and storage on the upper level and 140 parking spaces in a two storey car park.  The development is estimated to be worth £14m. What do you think? Would this be an improvement for Corstorphine? This would be the third Waitrose store in Edinburgh, with others in Comely Bank and Morningside.  If the plans are eventually passed then the new store is planned to open in 2016 with 150 new jobs with the John Lewis Partnership who  will run the store.

There will be a public exhibition of the proposal at Corstorphine Library on 10 December 2014 which is the second held by the developers, or you may click here for further details of the design.

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Musselburgh Racecourse has invested £250,000 in upgrading facilities as part of an ongoing refurbishment to maintain 5 star visitor status.

The East Lothian track is the only Scottish racecourse to hold a 5 star VisitScotland rating and the management team have a year-round focus on pushing up standards and improving the visitor experience. 

On the back of a record-breaking Flat season, the East Lothian has reinvested profits to make a series of improvements, including re-branding and extending the bars and introducing a new logo and signage which reflects the course’s heritage as it approaches its 200^th anniversary.

In the short close season between the end of the Flat campaign and the start of the jumps season, builders, decorators and landscapers have been busy completing a programme of works.

The former bistro bar located underneath the grandstand has been upgraded and extended, taking in the former Annual Members’ bar, and will now be named the Harris Tweed Bar in honour of the first winner of the Edinburgh Cup in 2010, with the Annual Members’ bar now located in what was Le Garcon D’Or bar. The Lothian Suite in the Queen’s Stand and the Champagne Bar have also been refreshed with new furniture and carpeted areas.

Musselburgh Racecourse commercial manager, Sarah Montgomery, said: “The refurbishment work is necessary if we are to maintain our VisitScotland five star rating and is contributes to the overall success of the racecourse. 

“All profits from our most successful Flat season have been invested to ensure the facilities at Musselburgh remain the best in the country in terms of quality, comfort and value for money. The new logo and signage celebrates our history dating back to 1816, while enhancing the customer experience in helping people to navigate their way around the racecourse.

“Racing faces a lot of competition in continuing to attract the paying public and these improvements will help grow attendances and encourage visitors to return to Musselburgh.”

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The Gang Show runs from 18 to 22 November at the King’s Theatre with everything from Michael Jackson to Disney’s Frozen, song and dance and comedy sketches.

This will be the biggest yet with 330 young people made up of Edinburgh Scouts and Guides.

Get your tickets now!

Edinburgh Gang Show 2014

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh

Tue 18 to Sat 22 November

Evenings 7.00pm

Saturday matinee 2.15pm (Audio described & BSL interpreted)

0131 529 6000

0131 529 6005 (Group bookings)

www.edtheatres.com/gangshow

Tickets from £10.00

A 45-year-old man has been arrested and charged following the discovery of a quantity of drugs within a car on Friday evening.

Road traffic officers in Edinburgh pulled over a vehicle in the Craigroyston area, after it was seen to be driving at speed around 8pm. £50,000 worth of heroin was discovered within the car, along with a four figure sum of money. The driver was subsequently arrested and charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Detective Inspector Stuart Harkness said: “This is a significant recovery of controlled drugs. I would appeal to members of the public who have information around the supply of drugs within their community to contact the police. This can be done by speaking to your local officer, contacting police on ‘101’ or anonymously through the registered charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

The centenary of pioneering animator, artist, and musician Norman McLaren has been marked by the Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) in conjunction with the National Film Board of Canada with a ground-breaking, nationwide celebration of McLaren’s life and work.

More than 62,000 people took part in over 80 events, ranging from exhibitions, screenings, workshops and performances at 41 venues in Stirling, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and across the rest of the UK. Meanwhile, in a popular programme of sessions in over 130 schools, specially trained teachers delivered the McLaren Digital Animation Workshops to 3,450 7 to 9 year old children.  As a result more than 4,000 short, animated films were created, with most now available for viewing at www.vimeo.com/McLaren2014.

As part of the legacy of the McLaren 2014 project, Historic Scotland erected a permanent plaque outside McLaren’s childhood home in Stirling. The plaque was unveiled on the actual centenary of his birth (11^th April), marking the start of six months of celebrations. At the same time, McLaren appeared on stamps both in the UK (as part of a series highlighting the work of UK film directors), and in Canada (as part of a series to mark the 75^th Birthday of the National Film Board of Canada where McLaren spent much of his working life).

The CMI partnered with the National Film Board of Canada in organising the McLaren 2014 Programme activity as part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme, and the Year of Homecoming Scotland celebrations.  The programme ran from April to September 2014.

Iain Gardner, McLaren 2014 Artistic Director, says: “It’s been an absolute delight to celebrate Norman McLaren’s centenary this year with the collaboration of the NFB and all of our venue and workshop partners around the UK. I hope that this programme gave people an insight into why Norman McLaren was such an influential figure in the world of animation and film.”